The Durbanites led 22-10 at halftime and despite playing with just 13 men at one stage, they managed to bag a convincing win over the team from Melbourne. It was their second win on the road of their four-week tour Down Under.

Kerron van Vuuren (dangerous tackle) and Madosh Tambwe (repeated team offence) were the Cell C Sharks' players who spent time in the sin bin.

Marika Koroibete, Isi Naisarani, Anaru Rangi scored a try each for the home side while Andrew Deegan added three conversions and a penalty goal. The visitors scored through Mapimpi (2), Andre Esterhuizen, Tambwe and Curwin Bosch. Bosch also slotted four conversions and a penalty goal.

Springbok Rugby World Cup hero Mapimpi continued his excellent start to the season and he was again in red hot try-scoring form. He galloped away for two tries and passed the ball unselfishly to Bosch after he ran almost the length of the field in a another lightning fast counter-attack.

The Cell C Sharks were heavily disrupted last week in Wellington in loss to the Hurricanes, but on Saturday morning they turned on the style to win their second match on the road. Their set-piece was good, the rush defence halted the majority of the Rebels' attacks and their decision-making on attack very accurate.

Esterhuizen, deputising for rested regular skipper Lukhanyo Am, led by example and scored a typical powerful try when he powered over a defender.

The Cell C Sharks finish their Australasian tour next week against the Reds in Brisbane, while the Rebels travel to Dunedin for their meeting with the Highlanders.

Scorers:

Rebels (10) 24 – Tries: Marika Koroibete, Isi Naisarani, Anaru Rangi. Conversions: Andrew Deegan (3). Penalty: Deegan.

Cell C Sharks (22) 36 – Tries: Makazole Mapimpi (2), Andre Esterhuizen, Madosh Tambwe, Curwin Bosch. Conversions: Bosch (4). Penalty: Bosch.