Lwazi Mvovo scored a hat trick of tries for the Sharks as they rallied late to claim a bonus-point 38-17 victory over a game Sunwolves at the National Stadium in Singapore on Saturday.
The South African side held a narrow four-point lead going into the final five minutes, but scored three quick tries to give a more comprehensive look to the scoreline and secure the bonus point.
The win moves them to 38 points from 12 games, and consolidates second position in their Africa Conference 2, with the Durban-based side back on course for the playoffs after a surprise loss to the Southern Kings last weekend.
The Sunwolves still have just a single win from 11 games this season, but will have been relatively pleased with their competitiveness over the first 75 minutes of the game. Lock Ruan Botha and wing Sibusiso Nkosi (two) also crossed the tryline for the Sharks, while hooker Takeshi Hino and flank Shuhei Matsuhashi scored for the home side.
The Sharks were ahead early when Mvovo went over inside the first three minutes as he burst through the tepid Sunwolves defence.
Hino barged his way over for a try to level the score, but the Sharks were in front again when Botha profited from a driving maul after the visitors had chosen a line-out over three kickable points.
Nkosi extended the Sharks' advantage when centre Lukhanyo Am pounced on a loose ball to send him clear and the visitors led 21-7 at the break.
Matsuhashi burst through a gap to bring the Sunwolves to within seven points, before that margin was reduced further when Jumpei Ogura landed a penalty.
It set up a tense finish, but Mvovo sealed the win when crashed over having been set-up by Etienne Oosthuizen.
With the Sunwolves now throwing caution to the wind, the Sharks were able to score twice more as Mvovo completed his hat-trick and Ndlovu scored a second.