The victory means the KwaZulu-Natalians' playoff aspirations are still very much alive, but for the visitors from Italy, who refused to give up against the Durbanites, reaching the top-eight now looks very unlikely.

Possession, territorial stakes and defensive statistics were very even and in the end, the extra try scored by the hosts sealed the deal, but it was not a walk in the park.

Playing against a strong wind, Benetton shocked the home supporters with two tries in the first seven minutes to take a 14-0 lead while many fans were still queueing for beer.

The Cell C Sharks slowly found their feet with their pack taking control, and Vincent Tshituka got their first try from a pick and go movement in the 14th minute, followed 15 minutes later by a Grant Williams snipe off the back of a monstrous scrum.

With scores tied at 14-14, the hosts finished the first half hot on the attack, but they failed to capitalise as the Italians' dogged defence held firm.

Grant Williams goes over for the first of his two tries for the Cell C Sharks.

However, less than 90 seconds into the second half, Siya Kolisi went over out wide as the Cell C Sharks started playing with more width on attack.

Then came a try-scoring frenzy, with six five-pointers in 20 minutes. First, Rhyno Smith's up-and-under followed by a deft grubber set up Joaquin Riera, but moments later Williams got his brace, ironically also from a grubber into space.

Then two wings got in on the action - Edoardo Padovani scored out wide for the visitors, but that was cancelled out by two tries to Springbok speedster Makazole Mapimpi in five minutes, before Tomas Albornoz pulled another one back for Benetton with a sublime solo-effort in the 70th minute.

Trailing by only seven points, the Italians threw everything they had into the contest, but it was Curwin Bosch who sealed the win for the Cell C Sharks with a 80th minute penalty goal to go with his five earlier conversions.

Scorers:

Cell C Sharks 43 (14) - Tries: Vincent Tshituka, Grant Williams (2), Siya Kolisi, Makazole Mapimpi (2). Conversions: Curwin Bosch (5). Penalty goal: Bosch.

Benetton 33 (14) - Tries: Sebastian Negri da Ollegio, Nacho Brex, Joaquin Riera, Edoardo Padovani, Tomas Albornoz. Conversions: Albornoz (4).