Cape Town - The Golden Lions proved far too strong for the Sharks when they came out on the right side of a 26-18 Currie Cup scoreline in Johannesburg on Saturday afternoon.
The win sees the Lions solidify their position at the top of this year's log, while the Sharks' woes continue to cast doubt over their ability to compete for honours this year.
The Lions took a 6-3 lead into the break with Marnitz Boshoff slotting two penalties to Joe Pietersen's one.
The flyhalves continued to dominate the scoreboard, and 15 minutes into the second half it was the Lions who led 12-6.
They pulled away when lock Lourens Erasmus scored just before the hour mark, but the game was really put to bed when the speedy Courtnall Skosan dotted down just six minutes later.
A late flurry from the Sharks saw them cross the whitewash through a phenomenal Pietersen solo effort and then through Francois Kleinhans, but by then it was too late.
Scorers:
Lions 26 (6)
Tries: Lourens Erasmus, Courtnall Skosan
Penalties: Marnitz Boshoff (4)
Conversions: Boshoff (2)
Sharks 18 (3)
Tries: Joe Pietersen,
Penalties: Pietersen (2)
Conversion: Pietersen