Durban – The Sharks XV scored 18 unanswered points in the second-half on their way to a 25-7 (half-time 7-7) win over Western Province in their Vodacom Cup South Section match at Kings Park on Saturday.
The teams had reached half-time locked at seven points apiece but the hosts scored a converted try, a try and two penalties in the second-half to secure their second consecutive win of the season.
The Sharks XV opened the scoring as early as the ninth minute when inside centre Andre Esterhuizen barged his way over for a converted try.
The home team enjoyed a territorial and possession advantage in the stop-start first-half but it was Western Province who scored next, in the 39th minute, when left wing Devon Williams put in a pinpoint cross kick for right wing Jean-Paul Lewis to score a converted try.
The Sharks XV took full control in the second half aided by Western Province's propensity to cough the ball up.
Flyhalf Zeilinga gave the home team the lead with a successful penalty kick before eighthman Keegan Daniel burst his way over from a scrum five metres from Province's tryline as the Sharks XV opened up a 17-7 lead after 55 minutes.
Experienced flank Jacques Botes slid over in the left-hand corner a minute later for a try before Zeilinga ended the scoring with a 62nd minute penalty.
Scorers Sharks XV - Tries: Andre Esterhuizen, Keegan Daniel, Jacques Botes; Conversions: Fred Zeilinga (2); Penalties: Zeilinga (2).
Western Province - Try: Jean-Paul Lewis; Conversion: Gary van Aswegen. – Sapa