The DHL Stormers went down 30-19 against the Hollywoodbets Sharks at DHL Stadium on Saturday night.
It was the first defeat of the Vodacom URC season in what was a typically physical South African derby.
The visitors struck first with a maul try in the corner from lock Jason Jenkins and the DHL Stormers responded immediately as they won the restart back and sent it wide to Damian Willemse, who surged over.
A cross-kick to Jaco Williams saw the young wing score next for the Sharks and they added to that with a penalty to make it 17-5.
The DHL Stormers managed to gain some ascendency and after a prolonged period of dominance a quick tap from captain Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu saw Willemse cross for his second try.
They continued to push and had a number of entries into the 22, but were unable to convert as the Sharks took a 17-12 lead into the break.
The visitors scored early in the second half as a series of penalties resulted in a yellow card and a second maul try.
The DHL Stormers camped in opposition territory, but were unable to find the finishing touch and the Sharks would extend their lead with a penalty 15 minutes from time.
The DHL Stormers never stopped pushing and were eventually awarded a penalty try. They pressed for a try at the death that would have secured two bonus points, but it was not to be.
The scorers:
For DHL Stormers:
Tries: Willemse 2, penalty try
Con: Feinberg-Mngomezulu
For Hollywoodbets Sharks:
Tries: Jenkins, Williams, Buthelezi, Esterhuizen
Cons: Hendrikse 2
Pens: Hendrikse 2
DHL Stormers: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Damian Willemse, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (captain), 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Marcel Theunissen, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 JD Schickerling, 4 Connor Evans, 3 Neethling Fouché, 2 André-Hugo Venter, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu.
Replacements: 16 JJ Kotzé, 17 Vernon Matongo, 18 Sazi Sandi, 19 Salmaan Moerat, 20 Ruben van Heerden, 21 Louw Nel, 22 Imad Khan, 23 Jurie Matthee.
