The Sharks ran in a 46-7 victory over Benetton at Kings Park on Saturday, with centre Jurenzo Julius claiming a hat-trick and Andre Esterhuizen again the dominant force in midfield.
Julius was the standout back, scoring his first try with a burst of footwork that saw him step, swivel and fend past three defenders before adding two more in the second half. Esterhuizen, leading the side in the absence of the first-choice skipper, was rated a 9 by Planet Rugby and widely considered unlucky not to claim the man of the match award — a notable performance given the Sharks' persistent lack of backline cohesion this season.
On the wing, Edwill van der Merwe crossed twice, with Jaco Williams — operating at full-back rather than his usual wing — providing the assist for the opening try through a series of sharp back-of-the-hand offloads. Makazole Mapimpi's afternoon was curtailed by a high tackle from Benetton's Jacob Umaga.
At fly-half, Zekhethelo Siyaya continued his shift from full-back into the ten jersey, showing crisp passing and carrying threat, though his goal-kicking remains a work in progress.
Kolisi made only his second appearance since returning from injury and was characteristically abrasive in the carry. Nick Hatton came in as a late replacement for the injured Manu Tshituka at No. 8 and more than held his own as a primary ball-carrier, while Vincent Tshituka was similarly effective in the loose and at the lineout.
The set-piece was a decisive factor. Ox Nche and Vincent Koch anchored a scrum that regularly drove Benetton backwards, with Emile van Heerden the go-to lineout target in a dominant display up front. Bradley Davids, deputising for Jaden Hendrikse and Grant Williams, provided solid tempo and accurate box-kicking at nine.