The Hollywoodbets Sharks finally broke their losing streak against the Blue Bulls, securing a hard-fought 20-17 victory at Kings Park Stadium on Saturday.

The Bulls, who reached the final of this competition last season, had dominated the recent encounters, winning the previous four matches against the Sharks.

The Sharks faced a setback when Springbok captain Siya Kolisi was ruled out of the match due to a calf injury on Thursday. Nick Hatton replaced him at number eight.

Jaden Hendrikse’s kick after the final siren sounded erupted in jubilation from the Sharks camp, as they maintained their unbeaten home record this season.

The victory was hard-earned, with the Sharks demonstrating strong defensive resolve in the final minutes to protect their three-point lead. While not always spectacular in the humid Durban conditions, the Sharks dug deep when it mattered most.

A crucial turning point in the match was the penalty try awarded to the Sharks in the 53rd minute, leveling the score at 17-17. Hendrikse then calmly slotted the resulting penalty, giving the Sharks their first lead of the match.

Hendrikse played a pivotal role in the Sharks’ scoring, contributing a try in the 18th minute, which he also converted. Ethan Hooker added another try for the Sharks.

The Bulls scored tries through Cobus Wiese and Harold Forster, but were ultimately denied by a strong Sharks defense in the closing stages. The Bulls also missed several crucial penalty attempts, hindering their comeback efforts.

Bulls coach Jake White lamented his team’s recent struggles, drawing a parallel to Manchester City’s current predicament in the Premier League. He acknowledged the need to find a winning formula and expressed disappointment with his team’s performances.

The victory propels the Sharks to fifth place in the Vodacom Rugby Championship with five wins from seven matches this season.