The Durbanites, who returned to South Africa earlier this week with three wins from four overseas games, led 22-12 at the break. They now have 20 points from six matches, three more than the DHL Stormers (17 from five games), who had a bye this weekend.

Lukhanyo Am’s team started the match on a positive note and kept the formidable Jaguares on the back foot with some controlled forward forays, which they combined with clever box kicks chased down by their dangerous outside backs.

In the end it was a very good performance by the Cell C Sharks against a Jaguares side that have won three of their last four outings in South Africa.

The home team scored three tries in the first half through lanky lock forward Hyron Andrews, who showed his deceptive speed and ability to sell a lovely dummy, in-form No 8, Sikhumbuzo Ntoshe and powerful inside centre Andre Esterhuizen, who crashed over after collecting a long pass from Ox Nche (prop) to dot down before the break.

The Jaguares kept within distance of the KwaZulu-Natalians by scoring two tries through Santiago Carreras and Joaquin Tuculet.

In the second half, the Cell C Sharks mauled their way over for a try from a lineout, with Kerron van Vuuren (hooker) carrying the ball over the try line.

However, the Argentineans refused to give up and scored their third try four minutes from the end through Sebastian Cancelliere (replacement wing).

Yellows cards were shown to Gonzalo Bertranou (Jaguares) and Aphelele Fassi (Cell C Sharks).

Scorers:

Cell C Sharks 33 (22) – Tries: Hyron Andrews, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Andre Esterhuizen, Kerron van Vuuren. Conversions: Curwin Bosch (2). Penalty goals: Bosch (3).

Jaguares 19 (12) – Santiago Carreras, Joaquin Tuculet, Sebastian Cancelliere. Conversions: Joaquin Diaz Bonilla (2).