The Sharks scored six tries in their 45-20 demolition of Griquas in Kimberley on Saturday.
Following the draw between the Pumas and Cheetahs earlier, the Sharks kept their semi-final hopes alive with a bonus-point victory at Griqua Park that moves them two log points off the top four.
The match between the Sharks and Cheetahs next week will now be a straight shootout for a place in the semi-finals.
Griquas made the perfect start when Ruhan Nel crossed for a converted try, and while Clinton Swart added a penalty, it was all downhill from there.
The Sharks had the bonus point secured 36 minutes into the contest, courtesy of tries by Cobus Reinach, Francois Kleinhans, Paul Jordaan and André Esterhuizen.
Michael Claassens and S'bura Sithole crossed the line for the visitors in the second half, and while Griquas scored two late tries, it mattered little in the bigger scheme of things.
Griquas – Try: Ruhan Nel (2), Sandile Ngcobo. Conversion: Clinton Swart. Penalty: Swart.
Sharks – Tries: Cobus Reinach, Paul Jordaan, Francois Kleinhans, André Esterhuizen, Michael Claassens, S’bura Sithole. Conversions: Joe Pietersen (6). Penalty: Pietersen.
Griquas – 15 Ntabeni Dukisa, 14 Danie Dames, 13 Michael van der Spuy, 12 Clinton Swart, 11 Ruhan Nel, 10 Francois Brummer, 9 Tian Meyer (c), 8 Carel Greeff, 7 Jonathan Janse van Rensburg, 6 RJ Lebenberg, 5 Hugo Kloppers, 4 Jonathan Adendorf, 3 Stephan Kotzé, 2 Martin Bezuidenhout, 1 Steph Roberts.
Subs: 16 AJ Le Roux, 17 Danie Mienie, 18 Leon Karemaker, 19 Wendal Wehr, 20 Dylon Frylink, 21 Gouws Prinsloo, 22 Sandile Ngobo.
Sharks – 15 Odwa Ndungane, 14 Wandile Mjekevu, 13 Paul Jordaan, 12 André Esterhuizen, 11 S’bura Sithole, 10 Joe Pietersen, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Philip van der Walt, 7 Etienne Oosthuizen, 6 Francois Kleinhans, 5 Marco Wentzel (c), 4 Dave McDuling, 3 Gerhard Engelbrecht, 2 Franco Marais, 1 Thomas du Toit.
Subs: 16 Kyle Cooper, 17 Mzamo Majola, 18 Christiaan de Bruin, 19 Jean Deysel, 20 Michael Claassens, 21 Heimar Williams, 22 Garth April.
Photo: Louis Botha/Gallo Images
