The Sharks rugby team from Durban, South Africa, achieved the maximum five Super 14 log points when they beat the Lions from Johannesburg 32-28 in Johannesburg on Saturday.

The Lions received a solitary bonus point for losing by fewer than seven points. As a result they remain at the bottom of the Super 14 log table on five points, well short of the nine points of the Cheetahs from Bloemfontein who are second last.

Such are the anomalies of South Africa rugby that there were at least as many Sharks supporters as Lions supporters at the well- attended match in the 53,000-seat Ellis Park stadium.

The Sharks' host city, Durban, is 500 kilometers away.

The Sharks, who have massive support in Johannesburg and are led by South African national rugby captain John Smit, are now ninth on the Super 14 log with 21 points.

They have a mathematical chance of reaching the semifinals in the international competition.