The Sharks experienced mixed results in their first day of warm-ups as they lost to NWU before thrashing Russia in Durban on Friday.

In the first hit out of the year, the Sharks will come away relatively pleased despite their surprising loss to NWU.

The hosts looked set to secure a comfortable win over the Varsity Cup side, having raced into a 19-5 lead at half-time, only for the team from the North West to fight back and secure a 31-26 victory.

Immediately after that fixture, a much-changed Sharks side took to the field for the first of two friendlies against the Russia national team.

This game was far more straightforward for Sean Everitt’s side as they hammered the visitors 64-14.

The Sharks next face Russia in Durban on 17 January before departing to Johannesburg for the SuperHero Sunday match against the Stormers, which will conclude their preparations for the 2020 Vodacom Super Rugby season.

Photo: Photo: Steve Haag Sport/Hollywoodbets