Flanker Keegan Daniel notched two tries to help the Sharks defeat the Blues 22-17 in the Super 14 on Saturday.

Both teams were unbeaten going into the fourth round of the competition.

The South Africans scored three tries to two by the Blues in a match played at breakneck pace despite hot and humid conditions.

The home side made an explosive start when the ball spurted loose from the kick-off and Daniel sped in from halfway to score.

Play surged back and forth before lock Johann Muller added another try for the Sharks.

Daniel claimed another touchdown when he took a tap penalty and smuggled through the defence to score.

The New Zealanders collected their first points when fly-half Nick Evans kicked a penalty in the 37th minute.

Evans added seven more points two minutes after half-time when he took a pass from scrum-half Danny Lee, scored between the uprights and converted to narrow the deficit to nine points.

A sustained Sharks onslaught then ended with scrum-half Rory Kockott booting a penalty to put the home side 22-10 ahead with 10 minutes left.

Four minutes later replacement scrum-half Taniela Moa added a second try for the Blues.

The Blues continued to attack but the Sharks's defence held firm to record their fourth consecutive win.

Reuters