The hosts had to weather an early storm from the Cell C Sharks XV, who absolutely dominated the first half hour of the match, but could just not get over the try line, while turning down numerous chances to have a shot at goal.
A 34th minute red card to the KwaZulu-Natalias' inside centre Marius Louw then proved pivotal as the home side exploited the extra man superbly during the second half to run in three converted tries to power away, before a late consolation score to the visitors got them on the board in the final minute of the match.
The game started with the Cell C Sharks XV relentlessly attacking the Multisure EP Elephants, but it was the home side who managed to hold out, clearing into the visitors half where they worked a penalty that impressive inside centre Ntabeni Dukisa easily slotted for a 3-0 lead after seven minutes.
The Durbanites then resumed regular service on attack in the home team's 22, where after a slew of penalties were kicked to touch, before Elephants hooker Mihlali Mpafi was the unlucky man to receive a yellow card after numerous penalties on the 5m line.
The Cell C Sharks XV continued to kick to touch instead of taking the points and that ended up backfiring as some fantastic defence and silly mistakes allowed the home team to clear their lines.
The Multisure EP Elephants then found themselves 6-0 up in the 28th minute as Dukisa was on target from another penalty goal as the home side took every chance that was given to them.
The turning point in the match then came in the 34th minute as Louw delivered an elbow to the head of Dukisa at a ruck, leaving the TMO little choice but to recommend a red card to the referee.
This allowed the Elephants to take full control of the match in the second half as they ran in tries to fullback Tristan Fourie in the 47th minute, Mpafi in the 57th and a fantastic long range effort to flyhalf Martin du Toit in the 63rd as the Elephants stormed into a 27-0 lead.
The match then went off the boil a bit in the closing stages until Springbok wing Lwazi Mvovo showed his still had a great turn of pace as he sprinted in a long range try, which flyhalf Murray Koster converted to give the visitors a consolation score in the final minute of the match.
Scorers:
Multisure EP Elephants - Tries: Tristan Fourie, Mihlali Mpafi, Martin du Toit. Conversions: Ntabeni Dukisa (3). Penalties: Ntabeni Dukisa (2).
Cell C Sharks XV - Try: Lwazi Mvovo. Conversion: Murray Koster.
A 34th minute red card to the KwaZulu-Natalias' inside centre Marius Louw then proved pivotal as the home side exploited the extra man superbly during the second half to run in three converted tries to power away, before a late consolation score to the visitors got them on the board in the final minute of the match.
The game started with the Cell C Sharks XV relentlessly attacking the Multisure EP Elephants, but it was the home side who managed to hold out, clearing into the visitors half where they worked a penalty that impressive inside centre Ntabeni Dukisa easily slotted for a 3-0 lead after seven minutes.
The Durbanites then resumed regular service on attack in the home team's 22, where after a slew of penalties were kicked to touch, before Elephants hooker Mihlali Mpafi was the unlucky man to receive a yellow card after numerous penalties on the 5m line.
The Cell C Sharks XV continued to kick to touch instead of taking the points and that ended up backfiring as some fantastic defence and silly mistakes allowed the home team to clear their lines.
The Multisure EP Elephants then found themselves 6-0 up in the 28th minute as Dukisa was on target from another penalty goal as the home side took every chance that was given to them.
The turning point in the match then came in the 34th minute as Louw delivered an elbow to the head of Dukisa at a ruck, leaving the TMO little choice but to recommend a red card to the referee.
This allowed the Elephants to take full control of the match in the second half as they ran in tries to fullback Tristan Fourie in the 47th minute, Mpafi in the 57th and a fantastic long range effort to flyhalf Martin du Toit in the 63rd as the Elephants stormed into a 27-0 lead.
The match then went off the boil a bit in the closing stages until Springbok wing Lwazi Mvovo showed his still had a great turn of pace as he sprinted in a long range try, which flyhalf Murray Koster converted to give the visitors a consolation score in the final minute of the match.
Scorers:
Multisure EP Elephants - Tries: Tristan Fourie, Mihlali Mpafi, Martin du Toit. Conversions: Ntabeni Dukisa (3). Penalties: Ntabeni Dukisa (2).
Cell C Sharks XV - Try: Lwazi Mvovo. Conversion: Murray Koster.
