Siya Kolisi scored two tries as the Sharks defeated the Exeter Chiefs in an Investec Champions Cup match marred by poor discipline from the home side at Kings Park Stadium on Saturday.

The Springbok captain was named Man of the Match as the Sharks secured a 39-21 victory, with the majority of the damage inflicted in the first half.

Eben Etzebeth, a Springbok record-cap holder, was one of the players sin-binned, spending 10 minutes off the field and ultimately being replaced by Bongi Mbonambi.

The Sharks were forced into two early substitutions, with loose forward James Venter departing in the 11th minute due to a shoulder injury and being replaced by Dylan Richardson.

Despite being a man down when Greg Fisilau was yellow carded, the Chiefs started strongly, with Dan Frost crossing the try line in the 13th minute.

Pepsi Buthelezi, who replaced Vincent Tshutuka in the fifth minute, leveled the scores for the Sharks in the 21st minute, capitalizing on a good play from the home side’s 22 and finished off by Jordan Hendriske.

The Sharks quickly added their second try when Aphelele Fassi set up Makazole Mapimpi in the 24th minute, with Hendriske converting the extras. Buthelezi’s burst from his half led to Ethan Hooker setting up Fassi for the third try.

Springbok captain Siya Kolisi then got in on the act, skipping past his marker to score the Sharks’ fourth try of the first half. Hendriske converted his fourth successful kick of the night in the first half.

Chiefs’ discipline continued to let them down, with Will Rigg receiving a yellow card, their second yellow of the match. Frost grabbed his second try on the stroke of halftime, leaving the score at 26-14 in favor of the Sharks.

Immanuel Feyi-Waboso’s penalty for not rolling away allowed Hendriske to extend the Sharks’ lead to 29-14 early in the second half. Kolisi added his second try in the 57th minute.

The Sharks’ ill-discipline continued to hamper them, with Etzebeth and Emile van Heerden both receiving yellow cards, leaving the home side two men down. The Chiefs capitalized on this advantage, with Feyi-Waboso scoring their third try.

Hendriske added a penalty to make it 39-21.

Eduan Keyter’s yellow card for the Sharks further compounded their disciplinary issues. While the Sharks emerged victorious, their numerous yellow cards and poor discipline were significant concerns. They were fortunate to escape with a win, despite their numerical disadvantage for much of the game, to maintain their unbeaten start at home.