New Zealand international Ardie Savea has led the Hurricanes to a gritty 30-17 win over the Sharks in Durban on Sunday morning (NZ time).
The loose forward played like a man possessed, as he ran, made tackles and won turnovers for the Hurricanes.
The visitors opened the scoring in the sixth minute, thanks to a crafty backline move that saw Beauden Barrett beating two defenders, before offloading to brother Jordie, who scored the first try.
Curwin Bosch and Barrett traded penalties, before Ngani Laumape busted through tackles to score his 10th try of the season.
The home side enjoyed 70 percent of territory in the first half, but were unable to break through the defensive line, until just before halftime, when fullback Aphelele Faasi went over to make the score 20-10 at the break.
Prop Juan Schoeman scored five minutes into the second half to close the gap to three, but the Hurricanes found a way to defend in a physical encounter of two big forward packs.
Dane Coles and Gareth Evans both made their long-awaited returns from injury in the second half.
Winger Wes Goosen scored in the 66th minute, showing both speed and skill to dot down in the corner.
Despite a red card to Vaea Fafita for a no-arms, high shot with his shoulder onto Sharks number eight Daniel du Preez, the Hurricanes were able to close out the win, their first in Durban in 14 years.
The Hurricanes face the Lions in Johannesburg in their next match.
Newshub.
