Both teams are in the top six on the United Rugby Championship (URC) table and their class and skill showed in a seven-try contest.

The Bulls opened the scoring when Jan-Hendrik Wessels crossed the whitewash within the first five minutes of the game. Sharks centre Ethan Hooker, however, scored for the visitors shortly after.  A yellow card for Willie le Roux and a penalty goal for the Sharks put them in the lead 10-7 at halftime.

But the next forty minutes kept the crowd on their feet.  Three yellow cards for the Sharks – for prop Ntuthuko Mchunu and locks Jason Jenkins and Corne Rahl – meant that for a short while, the Sharks only had twelve men on the field. The Bulls capitalised with a try by Johan Grobbelaar.

Hendrikse puts the Hollywoodbets @SharksRugby ahead again at Loftus ??#BULvSHA | @Vodacom #URC | #VUpYourSummer pic.twitter.com/6XktLoNsT9

— vodacomrugby (@VodacomRugga) February 15, 2025

With 30 minutes to go in the match, the Sharks knuckled down to take control of the game. Tries by Jordan Hendrikse, Tino Mavesere and Yaw Penxe, with two successful conversions by Siya Masuku were enough to seal the deal. Another Grobbelaar try for the Bulls was a small consolation and made the scoreline look a little bit more respectable.

Despite their loss, the Bulls remain in third place on the URC log with 35 points, but the Sharks are breathing down their necks in fourth place with 34 points.

The Sharks will take on the Lions at Ellis Park next Saturday, while the Bulls will host the Stormers at Loftus Versfeld.

OFM Sport/Ilse Smalberger