The Sharks' opening fixture of the 2019 Super Rugby season went off swimmingly for the Durban-based side, as they recorded a 45-10 win over the Sunwolves at the Singapore National Stadium on Saturday.

The Sunwolves, who finished last in the Australian conference last season with just three wins in 16, were always going to be up against it, and had few answers against the Sharks, who held a 24-10 lead at half time and went on to bag six tries.

Sharks hooker Akker van der Merwe scored two tries, the first in the 16th minute, while Jeremy Ward's final try in the 71st minute capped off a torrid time for the hosts, who had a try overturned near the end due to a knock-on.

Number eight Daniel du Preez, and wings Sibusiso Nkosi and Makazole Mapimpi also crossed the tryline for the visitors.

The Sunwolves battled with the set-pieces all game after being given early hope when South African-born centre Shane Gates scored their only try of the game. Their only other points came from a penalty in the 14th minute from Hayden Parker, after a botched line-out from the Sharks allowed for a kick to poles.

The Sunwolves next host the Waratahs on Friday 22 February, while the Sharks must jet home for a clash against the Blues in Durban on Saturday.

Reuters contributed to this report