Monstered in the scrum, the visitors to Jonsson Kings Park were on the backfoot for most of the game and in the end, that was probably the difference.

The Durbanites were on the front foot and used their opportunities, with Chamberlain slotting six penalty goals and a conversion for a personal haul of 20 points in the process.

Springbok midfielder Lukhanyo Am – who was in superb form and deservedly won the Man of the Match award – scored an intercept try and Kerron van Vuuren was driven over from a lineout maul to give the Cell C Sharks a well-deserved win.

But the Vodacom Bulls were not cannon-fodder at all, and they still led at the break, by 13-9, after David Kriel scored a great try from a tap penalty close to the Cell C Sharks’ tryline, in what was basically their only opportunity of the game.

The second half belonged to the hosts, whose experienced Springboks made a massive difference as they outscored their opponents by 21-3 after the break to record their second win of the competition and go into the Festive Season break with some momentum.

Scorers:

Cell C Sharks 30 (9) – Tries: Lukhanyo Am, Kerron van Vuuren. Conversion: Boeta Chamberlain. Penalty goals: Chamberlain (6).

Vodacom Bulls 16 (13) – Try: David Kriel. Conversion: Morne Steyn. Penalty goals: Steyn (3).