The ghosts of last year's Currie Cup final defeat may not be exorcised yet but the Sharks laid down a solid marker with their downing of the Bulls at Kings Park.
The Sharks looked every bit a team that had a proper hit-out the previous week as they strung together phases with ease.
The Bulls, efficient in last week's away win against the Free State Cheetahs, were competitive and at times unlucky.
But their decision-making, or its errant nature, cost them dearly. The Sharks, profligate at times, had enough tactical smarts and class to turn half-chances into points. The Sharks' first try, through prop Juan Schoeman, in the sixth minute was testament to this as they were patient in their build-up.
Schoeman had to shrug off a few tackles before he wormed his way over but the Sharks again looked a lot like last year's side that marched through the round-robin stage with ease before choking in the playoffs.
The Bulls asked questions and got a Jesse Kriel try in the 16th minute.
What the Bulls lacked in finesse and accuracy they made up for in pace and physicality. They moved the ball around well and when Kriel crashed over, they celebrated like a team who knew the try was well deserved.
With Manie Libbok having added a 10th-minute penalty, the Bulls should have extended their lead in the 22nd minute but some brainless rugby from openside flanker Ruan Steenkamp was reciprocated by some slick and smart counterattacking rugby from the Sharks.
After Steenkamp delayed his pass, which would have put right wing Jade Stighling away for the Bulls' second try, Steenkamp held onto the ball for a fraction of a second longer before releasing a laboured pass.
That delay allowed the Sharks defence not only an opportunity to regroup, but the equal chance of the breakaway try.
No8 Daniel du Preez started the break and after some smart interpassing that saw the Sharks move from their own tryline, Curwin Bosch finished off the move that saw the Sharks regain the lead.
The Sharks, in the 38th minute, scored their third try through right wing Kobus van Wyk, the beneficiary of a blindside move that caught the Bulls defence napping.
The Bulls dominated the early exchanges in the second half but had nothing to show for it. They should have scored in the 55th minute when Libbok floated a lovely pass wide that took out some Sharks defenders but replacement loose forward Jano Venter knocked on with the tryline beckoning.
A minute later the Bulls thought their luck had turned when Kriel crossed but referee Marius van der Westhuizen was alerted to the fact that Bulls centre Johnny Kotze's foot was in touch and the lineout should have been the Sharks'.
The Bulls though had their own luck on the hour when what should have been Bosch's second try was disallowed after replays picked up Van Wyk had taken out Kotze in the air in the build-up.
The Bulls' luck could only hold up for so long and the Sharks eventually scored their fourth try through replacement utility back Aphelele Fassi, who collected Cameron Wright's box kick. The Sharks were energised by the exciting Fassi, who played his schoolboy rugby at fullback and flyhalf.
Fassi should have had a second try in the 72nd minute but there were two forward passes in the build-up to his try.
In an era where quality black back-three players are springing up left, right and centre, the Dale College product (Aphiwe Dyantyi's alma mater) could be another to look out for.
Being a fullback by trade, Fassi could allow Sharks coach Robert du Preez to use Bosch as a flyhalf but that would mean dropping his namesake son.
Sharks (21) 26
Blue Bulls (10) 10
Sharks - Tries: Juan Schoeman, Curwin Bosch, Kobus van Wyk, Aphelele Fassi ; Conversions: Robert du Preez (3);
Blue Bulls: Try: Jesse Kriel; Conversion: Manie Libbok Penalty: Libbok..