The Sharks were forced to dig deep to earn the bonus point victory after a spirited fight-back from the Cheetahs.

Winger Odwa Ndungane notched two late tries to ensure the Sharks notched a valuable bonus point that keeps them in contention for a semi-final berth.

The Sharks led 19-14 with just two minutes of the game remaining when Ndungane ghosted his way through the Cheetahs' defence to notch his side's fourth try put the result beyond doubt.

But the Sharks were not finished and from the kick off scrum half Rory Kockott sparked another attack and he was supported by Ryan Kankowski who eventually put Ndungane in for another score.

A hat-trick of tries from flanker Jacques Botes had put the Sharks in control against the Cheetahs who grabbed two tries through Jongi Nokwe and Meyer Bosman.

Botes' first try came from a driving maul on the quarter hour and he had his second just before the half-hour when he was on hand to capitalise on a loose ball under the Cheetahs' posts.

The Cheetahs were thrown a lifeline before the break when a clearance from Steyn failed to find touch and the visitors ran it back with Nokwe dotting down.

Botes crossed for his third try just after the break, and the Cheetahs threatened a dramatic comeback when Bosman pounced on a mistake by Kankowski to snaffle a loose ball and touch down as the game entered the last quarter.

Sharks (14) 33
Tries: Botes (3), Ndungane (2)
Con: Kockott (4)

Cheetahs (7) 14
Tries: Bosman, Nokwe
Con: Barnard, De Bruyn

Sharks: Stefan Terblanche, Odwa Ndungane, Adrian Jacobs, Frans Steyn, JP Pietersen, Ruan Pienaar, Rory Kockott, Ryan Kankowski, AJ Venter (captain), Jacques Botes, Johan Ackermann, Albert van den Berg, BJ Botha, Bismarck du Plessis, Tendai “Beast” Mtawrira.

Reserves: Craig Burden, Jannie du Plessis, Steven Sykes, Jean Deysel, Bradley Barritt, Waylon Murray.

Cheetahs: Hennie Daniller, Eddie Fredericks, JW Jonker, Meyer Bosman, Jongi Nokwe, Conrad Barnard, Noel Oelschig, Duane Vermeulen, Juan Smith (captain), Heinrich Brussow, Barend Pieterse, Rory Duncan, CJ van der Linde, Adriaan Straus s, Wian Hunter du Preez.

Reserves: Conrad Richardt Strauss, Jacobus Roux, David Jacobus de Villiers, Hendro Scholtz, Tewis de Bruyn, Hendrik Meyer, Bevin Fortuin