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THE QUESTION marks that had been raised over the Sharks’ championship credentials on the eve of their overseas departure were emphatically and unequivocally erased at North Harbour Stadium yesterday as the Durbanites clinched a third impressive win on tour.

Four weeks ago, the Sharks jetted off to Australasia in the wake of a disappointing defeat to the Highlanders, which cut their lead at the top of the overall log to one point, and it appeared as if the team’s promising campaign had reached the crossroads.

But as so often happens on tour, the Sharks drew together as a team, and although they slipped up against the Brumbies after edging past the Rebels, back-to-back wins over the Crusaders and Blues ensured they could bag 13 log points from their travels.

Although director of rugby Jake White has repeatedly said their focus is not on attaining a certain points haul, but rather just on competing every week, the result has been an extremely pleasing one.

In the first half yesterday, 11 points from Frans Steyn (courtesy of two penalties, a conversion and drop goal), as well as a try to Bismarck du Plessis enabled the Sharks to take a handy 16-6 lead at the interval.

And despite the possession stats slightly favouring the Blues in the opening stanza, it was the Sharks who looked in complete control, and impressively kept their composure despite a mounting penalty count.

“I was a bit perplexed at times in the first half,” White