Flanker Keegan Daniel scored a 16-second try to give the Coastal Sharks a perfect start en route to a 22-17 triumph over the Auckland Blues in a Super 14 thriller on Saturday.
Daniel dotted down again as the home team took a 19-3 halftime advantage and then withstood fierce second-half pressure to close out the game.
The Sharks, runners-up to compatriots the Bulls last year, have 17 ranking points from four outings, one more than their New Zealand opponents who scored 105 match points in two previous matches on tour in South Africa.
Captain and lock Johann Muller claimed the other Sharks try with scrumhalf Rory Kockott converting two and landing a penalty as he continues to deputize effectively for injured Springbok Ruan Pienaar.
Dynamic flyhalf Nick Evans scored a try and kicked two conversions and a penalty and replacement back Taniela Moa touched down for the Blues, who suffered their fourth consecutive loss to the Durban franchise.
"The team were outstanding in the first half only to fall asleep after the break. We must learn to put it together for 80 minutes," Muller said afterwards.
Blues skipper and lock Troy Flavell was gracious in defeat.
"The better team on the day won, but we are happy to go home with 11 points having set ourselves a target of one less," Flavell said.
When the New Zealanders failed to control the ball at the kick-off, hooker Bismarck du Plesses passed to Daniel and he dashed over under pressure from All Blacks wing Joe Rokocoko, making his 50th appearance in the competition.
Kockott failed to convert, but was on target after center Bradley Barritt set up Muller for a try in the corner and Daniel charged over having taken a quick tap penalty with the successful conversion opening up a 19-point gap.
Evans reduced the arrears with a penalty and dived over between the posts just two minutes into the second half for a try, which he converted as the Blues came back.
Kockott kicked a penalty 10 minutes from full-time, only for Moa to go over for a soft try. Evans' conversion left just five points between weary teams as the sauna-like conditions took their toll.
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