JJ Hanrahan kicks Connacht to narrow win over Hollywoodbets Sharks

Fly-half JJ Hanrahan's second-half penalty edged Connacht to a 13-12 Vodacom United Rugby Championship victory over the Hollywoodbets Sharks in Durban.

After away losses against Munster, Leinster, Ospreys and Zebre Parma, bottom-of-the-table Sharks slumped to a fifth successive league defeat.

Connacht, though, made it four wins from five and consolidated a place among the competition's early-season movers and shakers.

Connacht led by five points at half-time following an early Sean O'Brien try that Hanrahan converted while Hanrahan also landed a penalty following Sharks number eight Sikhumbuzo Notshe's touchdown.

Sharks improved after the break, going ahead through wing Werner Kok's touchdown that Curwin Bosch converted, but Hanrahan had the final say and Connacht could celebrate a statement away win.

Connacht looked to capitalise on the Sharks' brittle confidence and they made a dream start by scoring from their first attack.

The forwards built an imposing platform, driving their opponents backwards from a close-range lineout before patient phase-play ended with O'Brien powering over and Hanrahan adding the extras.

Sharks were boosted by the return of double World Cup-winning Springboks centre Lukhanyo Am and he made his presence felt early on by running hard at Connacht's defence.

But the visitors coped impressively through strong defensive organisation, highlighted by the Sharks making six handling errors during the opening quarter.

They eventually got it right, though, cutting the deficit eight minutes before half-time when Notshe rounded off a spell of pressure to claim an equalising touchdown.