The Sharks saw off the Cheetahs 30-14 in at Vodacom Park in Bloemfontein to maintain their unbeaten record in this year's Super 14 and keep the pressure on the table-topping Blues.

In what proved to be a bruising contest, skipper Juan Smith gave the hosts the early lead with the opening try of the game after his forwards had punched a hole in the Sharks' defence.

Willem de Waal added the extras before the Sharks bounced back with a try of their own midway through the first period.

The impressive Waylon Murray exploited a gap in the Cheetahs' cover before feeding Jacques Botes on his inside for the try.

The score was converted by Ruan Pienaar and the scrum-half added two more penalties to stretch his side's advantage.

But the Cheetahs rallied and just before half-time Hendro Scholtz broke a couple of tackles to create the opening for centre Herkie Kruger who went over under the uprights.

The conversion from De Waal saw the hosts go into the break 14-13 in the lead.

However the Sharks raised their game in the second period, especially in defence, and they soon had their second try when Waylon Murray was the beneficiary of some good work by fullback Francois Steyn.

Within ten minutes of that score JP Pietersen raced away for an intercept score to put the Sharks in firm control.

Pienaar, who had also converted their two second half tries, added one final penalty to set the seal on the win.

The deserved victory leaves them three points behind the league-leading Blues with a game in hand.

Cheetahs (14) 14
Tries: Smith, Kruger
Con: De Waal (2)

Sharks (13) 30
Tries: Botes, Murray, Pietersen
Con: Pienaar (3)
Pen: Pienaar (3)