The Brumbies slumped to a 35-14 defeat to Super 14 title favourites the Sharks in Durban on Saturday night.

The South African side ran in five tries to secure a bonus point win with JP Pietersen, Stefan Terblanche, Rory Kockott, Jacques Botes and Ryan Kankowski all crossing the whitewash.

The Brumbies scored two tries through Christian Leiliifano and Salesi Maafu at Kings Park Stadium.

The Sharks lead the standings with 26 points, three more than the Waratahs in second place.

"In the second half, we put together some really good phases, applied the pressure and the tries came," said Sharks captain Johann Muller.

Ferocious tackling and counter-rucking by the Sharks in the first quarter set up the opening try.

A big tackle from Kockott in midfield caused the turnover, and Kockott fed the ensuing ball to Pietersen, who flew clear down the left to score.

The Brumbies hit back with a superb try to Leiliifano, who stepped inside opposite number Francois Steyn and went over under the posts untouched.

Another turnover saw Terblanche round off a length-of-the-field move before Kankowski put him clear for an easy try.

Kockott barged over in the fourth minute after halftime, and then Botes burrowed over 10 minutes later. Kankowski capped another good match with a try in the 72nd minute. Kockott converted all the tries.

Maafu got a consolation try in the final minutes, but the Sharks had never looked like losing.

"When we did have the ball down in their half we didn't capitalise on it," Brumbies captain George Smith said.

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