NSW, who had averaged 32.5 points per game going into the clash, were very nearly held tryless for the first time this season, a 78th minute effort from Pat McCutcheon and Bernard Foley salvaging some pride inside a merciless Shark Tank.

Until then the usually vibrant Waratahs had managed just a single penalty goal - kicked by Foley inside the first five minutes - in answer to the Sharks' two converted tries and six penalties.

It was little coincidence they were missing Israel Folau, the competition's top try-scorer, who was flying from Johannesburg to Durban while the Sharks bit down hard on their visitors.

A ground at which the Waratahs have only managed to win at once in the past eight years was once again a miserable hunting ground for the tourists, who trained hard this week and felt certain they had a game plan to upset the competition leaders.

Instead the Sharks used their traditional strengths - big ball carriers and a scrum deservedly labelled the best in the competition - to deny NSW possession and momentum.

Any precious time with ball in hand the Waratahs did eke out was treated carelessly, the Durban humidity and ruthless Sharks defence forcing knock-on after knock-on.

There was also plenty of niggle, with referee Mike Fraser kept busy with allegations of punching in the scrum and various off-ball shenanigans.

The Waratahs had their first of few attacking opportunities in the third minute thanks to a break by Adam Ashley-Cooper off a line out.

The outside-centre weaved through two lines of defence and into the Sharks' 22 before being pulled up 10 metres short of the try line.

NSW spread it out to the right but settled for three points when the Sharks were penalised for a high tackle.

It would be their only mark on the score board for the next 73 minutes.

Sharks five-eight Fred Zeilinga, who was called in for injured star Pat Lambie, equalised in the 10th minute.

The Waratahs were resolute in defence, committing fewer bodies to the ruck in favour of numbers in the line.

But they walked the line at times, winger Rob Horne surviving an apparent high tackle on old sparring partner Frans Steyn with a warning from referee Mike Fraser, much to the disgust of the Durban crowd.

But NSW paid with three points, Zeilinga booting the Sharks to a 6-3 lead in the 17th minute that they would patiently build on for the rest of the match.

The Sharks kept the pressure on, using their maul set piece to get back into the Waratahs 22 and their scrum once they arrived.

Zeilinga made it 9-3 when the Waratahs were penalised for collapsing the scrum. It would prove to be a difficult night for the visitors at the set piece.

The Waratahs had a number of attacking opportunities during the next 10 minutes but succumbed to significant pressure, losing possession each time. The first-half numbers would end at nine handling errors to the Sharks' six.

They took the points where they could but Foley missed a penalty goal attempt in the 30th minute.

Super boot Frans Steyn slotted a goal from 55 metres out to extend the Sharks' lead to 12-3 and Foley missed an attempt in the 38th minute leaving NSW trailing by nine at the break.

Steyn missed a kick for goal in the opening minutes of the second-half but the Sharks wielded their set piece like a blunt instrument, frustrating the NSW pack to boiling point.

The Waratahs hit a low ebb when captain Dave Dennis was sin-binned for shoving opposing skipper Bismarck du Plessis.

The Sharks bit and bit hard, using the overlap to maul off a line out and score the first try of the match. Zeilinga converted to give the home side a 19-3 lead and added a further three to make it 22-3 soon after.

Replacement back Keegan Daniel scored in the 73rd minute to make it 29-3 after the conversion.

Foley's try was little consolation, the game lost with two minutes to go, and the Sharks sent their guests a final message after the siren with a seventh penalty goal to leave the scoreline an emphatic 32-10.

SHARKS 32 (Willem Alberts, Keegan Daniel tries Fred Zeilinga 2 cons Zeilinga 5, Francois Steyn pens) bt NSW WARATAHS 10 (Bernard Foley try con pen) at Kings Park Stadium. Referee: Mike Fraser.