A first-half try from Fez Mbatha and the boot of Tito Bonilla was enough for the Sharks to edge Griquas in a low-scoring affair in Kimberley on Wednesday evening.

With the scoreboard reading 6-10 at half time, the Sharks looked to extend their slender lead after the restart from the penalty spot, but Bonilla missed his attempt to the left of the uprights.

The Argentinian flyhalf, though, did nail his second attempt from out in front in the second stanza, and Etienne Fynn’s men will return to Durban thankful for a 13-6 victory, to remain third in the Currie Cup standings.

On the other side, Griquas had several opportunities to breach the visitors’ defence and will rue their missed opportunities.

After a stuttering start to the encounter, Ruben van Heerden received from the lineout about 10 metres from the Griquas line. The maul was set and Mbatha broke away and went over with support from Wiehahn Herbst. Bonilla added the extras.

George Whitehead struck a penalty for the hosts’ first score of the match, only for Bonilla to reply in kind and restore the visitors’ seven-point lead.

Sharks skipper James Venter was yellow-carded for a side entry at ruck time, before Griquas had a chance before the break to pull level as they played the short side before working their way infield, building some phases on attack.

Rynhardt Jonker made a break with Munier Hartzenberg on an inside switch, but failed to get the offload away and was tackled into touch. However, referee Adriaan Jacobs brought them back for a penalty and Whitehead slotted it over to narrow the gap to four points as the siren sounded.