No excuses for Sharks
Sharks coach Jake White refused to make any excuses after his team suffered their first defeat of the season against the Bulls.
The Durban side were edged out 23-19 at Loftus Versfeld by a determined Bulls side, but retained their spot at the top of the standings.
The visitors went into the half-time break with a seven-point advantage despite losing their halfback combination of Pat Lambie and Cobus Reinach to injury in the first seven minutes of the match.
White admitted it was a serious blow to his side's chances of beating the Bulls on their home soil.
However, he gave credit to the Bulls for their superior performance on the day which was the first defeat he has experienced as Sharks coach.
"If you lose your nine and 10 literally in the first seven minutes of the game it is always going to be tough but we aren't to make any excuses," White said.
"The Bulls were good, they took all their chances and they defended well, they went hard at the breakdown and made it hard for us."
The Sharks' bonus point put them two points clear of the Brumbies at the top of the standings ahead of their clash with the in-form Waratahs next weekend.
