The Sharks kept their Super Rugby title hopes alive for another week when they shocked the Bulls with a 32-10 bonus point victory in Durban.

The Sharks started the match in eighth place and out of the running for the Super Rugby play offs but moved above the current Super Rugby champions the Reds with the victory thanks to the bonus point.

The Bulls failed to take any points from the match and will most likely need to beat the Lions next week to remain in contention for the play offs.

The Sharks play the Cheetahs next weekend in Durban and will also most likely need to win again with a bonus point to keep ahead of the Reds.

The Bulls looked ordinary compared to the team that beat the Cheetahs last week while the Sharks put in arguably their best peformance of the season.

Louis Ludik's late try helped secure a maximum five-point victory for the Sharks following first-half scores from Bismarck du Plessis and JP Pietersen.

The Sharks led 20-3 at the break, with captain Keegan Daniel touching down straight after the restart..

Earlier the coastal side should have gone ahead after seven minutes, but Frederic Michalak's penalty attempt drifted wide off the upright after a strong start from his side.

The hosts continued to dominate the early exchanges and eventually took the lead via a 12th minute try by Bismarck du Plessis, who collected a clever flick by Marcell Coetzee before barging his way over.

Michalak hit the mark this time with the conversion, but the Bulls hit straight back with a Morne Steyn penalty after Pietersen was penalised for coming in from the side.

Frans Steyn then showed his immediate worth in his first match since rejoining the Sharks with a spectacular 55 metre penalty that sailed low between the posts as the home side again took control.

The advantage was extended even further after 25 minutes when Charl McLeod spun the ball to the right and Pietersen dived over in the corner for another converted try.

Pressure continued on the Bulls in all areas and Dean Greyling failed to release in the tackle on the half-hour mark allowing Michalak to pop over three more points.

The Bulls should have cut the deficit moments before the break, but Akona Ndungane was splendidly taken out by a last-gasp Lwazi Mvovo tackle into touch.

John Plumtree's men held a vital 17-point lead at the break and after the restart, that was stretched to 22 following a third try, scored by skipper Daniel -- the Sharks captain going over on the left after good build-up play between Mvovo and Steyn.

Zane Kirchner pulled a try back for the Pretoria outfit after his side had opted for a penalty scrum in search of quick points.

After Morne Steyn converted, they failed to carve out too many more openings and Ludik went over in the right corner for a late score to cap the win.

Final Score Sharks 32 (20) Bulls 10 (3)

Scorers

Sharks
Tries - B. Du Plessis, JP. Pietersen, K. Daniel, L. Ludik
Pen - F. Steyn, F. Michalak
Con - F. Michalak 2, M. Bosman
Drop -
Cards -

Bulls
Tries - Z. Kirchner
Pen - M. Steyn
Con - M. Steyn
Drop -
Cards -

Match Officials
Referee: Jaco Peyper
Assistant Ref 1: Marius Jonker
Assistant Ref 2: Tiaan Jonker
TMO: Shaun Veldsman

Teams

Bulls

15. Zane Kirchner, 14. Akona Ndungane, 13. JJ Engelbrecht, 12. Wynand Olivier, 11. Bjorn Basson, 10. Morne Steyn, 9. Francois Hougaard, 8. Pierre Spies (c), 7. Jacques Potgieter, 6. Dewald Potgieter, 5. Juandre Kruger, 4. Flip van der Merwe, 3. Werner Kruger, 2. Chiliboy Ralepelle, 1. Dean Greyling.

Replacements: 16. Willie Wepener, 17. Frik Kirsten, 18. Wilhelm Steenkamp, 19. CJ Stander, 20. Jano Vermaak, 21. Louis Fouche, 22. Francois Venter.

Sharks

1. Tendai Mtawarira, 2. Bismarck du Plessis, 3. Jannie du Plessis, 4. Anton Bresler, 5. Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6. Keegan Daniel (c), 7. Marcell Coetzee, 8. Ryan Kankowski, 9. Charl McLeod, 10. Frederic Michalak, 11. Lwazi Mvovo, 12. Francois Steyn, 13. Tim Whitehead, 14. JP Pietersen, 15. Louis Ludik.

Replacements: 16. Craig Burden, 17. Wiehahn Herbst, 18. Jandre Marais, 19. Jean Deysel, 20. Cobus Reinach, 21. Meyer Bosman, 22. Odwa Ndungane.