A superb first-half performance set up Coastal Sharks for a shock 25-17 triumph over ACT Brumbies in a Super 12 thriller.

After a 40-18 mauling from Western Stormers in Cape Town last weekend and the banning of captain AJ Venter for four matches after head butting a rival during that match, few observers offered the Sharks much hope.

But the Durban-based outfit played like men possessed throughout the first half under new captain Shaun Sowerby and led 19-0 at half-time.

Although the former champions hit back in the second half at balmy Absa Stadium in the Indian Ocean city to score three tries, they failed to collect even a bonus point when Andrew Walker missed a last-minute penalty.

While the Sharks were thrilled to bounce back after a woeful first-round showing, the butter-fingered Brumbies have considerable soul searching to do ahead of a clash with the Golden Cats in Johannesburg on Friday.

Former Springbok captain and flyhalf Naas Botha labelled their first-half showing "shocking", adding that it was probably the worst 40 minutes played by the Brumbies since their Super 12 debut seven years ago.

Many Australians appeared to have covered their hands with butter as they repeatedly knocked on and the main culprits included legendary scrumhalf and captain George Gregan.

As the Sharks tired and became overly cautious in the second half, the visitors showed glimpses of their true form with the hard, straight running of Wallaby centre Stirling Mortlock a constant threat.

However, the Brumbies paid dearly for some bad attacking options with players electing to race inside when there were overlaps and the Sharks defended courageously.

A vital factor was the place kicking of often erratic Sharks flyhalf Butch James, who kicked six penalties and converted an Andre Snyman try and missed just one kick at goal.

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