Hungry Sharks boost play-off hopes
THE Sharks are one bonus-point victory away from the Super Rugby play-offs after defeating fellow South Africans Northern Bulls 32-10 at Kings Park.
They host Central Cheetahs next Saturday in another South African derby and another bonus-point triumph will assure them of place in the knockout phase, possibly at the expense of title holders Queensland Reds from Australia.
Bulls can also qualify with a bonus-point home win over bottom-of-the-table Golden Lions while Western Stormers are set to top the South African conference and secure a bye into the semi-finals.
Sharks had to win the penultimate-round match to have any hope of finishing among the top six after the league phase of the southern hemisphere provincial championship and laid their victory foundations during the opening half.
Gaining the upper hand from the kick-off through their rampant pack, the Durban franchise scored two tries via Springboks Bismarck du Plessis (hooker) and JP Pietersen (right wing) to turn over 20-3 ahead.
Read the full match report at ABC news online.
