Match Details

Cheetahs (SA)

VS

Sharks (SA)

14

Vodacom Park, Bloemfontein Kick off times: 5:00pm (Local) Sat 10 Mar 2:00am (AEDT) Sun 11 Mar

30

The Sharks have maintained their unbeaten Investec Super 14 form with a sizzling 30-14 victory over the Cheetahs at Vodacom Park in Bloemfontein.

Scoring three tries to the home side's two, the Sharks dominated from the outset and proved more than a match for the Cheetahs on defence.

And despite a close contest in the opening half, it was the visitors who made better use of their possession in the second 40 minutes as they ran in 17 unanswered points.

Making the victory even sweeter for the Sharks will be the fact it has been four years since they last claimed a victory over the Free State franchise.

Early in the match, it looked as though the hosts would continue to their Shark dominance after skipper Juan Smith muscled his way over on 12 minutes.

However, desperate to cast aside history, the Sharks bounced back and Jacques Bote soon squared proceedings with a brilliant try.

The try appeared to swing the momentum in favour of the visitors but poor handling thwarted a number of promising attempts that could have seen the match all but over at halftime.

However, Pienaar, after sealing the last-gasp victory over the Crusaders last week with his conversion from the sideline, was again in deadly form in front of goal, kicking two penalties to give the Sharks a 13-7 lead after 37 minutes.

But just as the visitors were getting comfortable, Herkie Kruger broke the monotony and barrelled over for the Cheetahs right on the siren to give them a 14-13 lead heading into the break.

Clearly revved up after the resumption, the Sharks regained the lead 12 minutes into the half with a superb try from Waylon Murray

Down 20-14 the Cheetahs tried to play catch-up football but speedstar JP Pietersen then latched onto an intercept pass and charged 70m down the field to push he score out to 27-14 with 20 minutes left to play.

A penalty goal from Pienaar in the 68th minute put the game beyond doubt as the Sharks maintained their unbeaten record.

Sharks 30

Tries: Botes, Murray, Pietersen

Conversions: Pienaar 3

Penalties: Pienaar 3

Cheetahs 14

Tries: Smith, Kruger

Conversions: de Waal 2