A second-string Harlequins line-up gave Natal plenty to think about before steadily running out of steam in Tuesday's prestige friendly at the Stoop.

Resting nine of the team which lost at Newcastle on Saturday, Quins showed great heart and spirit in making the early running against a Natal side with at least seven Springboks in their line-up.

The early play was nonetheless with the visitors, who took a ninth-minute lead through Springbok winger Stefan Terblanche when he dropped a goal after good play with Brent Russell and Deon Kayser.

With Russell and captain AJ Venter showing up well in the early stages, the Sharks were good value for their lead.

But midway through the half Harlequins hit back with a try.

Samoan hooker Tani Fuga produced a delightful chip into the left-hand corner, and former Oxford University flanker Luke Sherrif came bursting on to the scene to gobble up the ball on the half-volley and force his way over the line. Nathan Williams converted, and the home side found themselves 7-3 ahead.

The Harlequins' defence then came to the fore and held their own more than comfortably. Then two minutes from half-time the hosts scored a second try which saw them turn around 14-3 to the good.

It came from a quick line-out 40 metres in their own half, and as the ball was played to Williams the full-back had enough gas to run home - finishing off with a theatrical dive into the corner.

Williams was not finished with his celebrations either, the Aussie-born player starting all over again after his touchline conversion.

Harlequins went further in front 16 minutes after the break - and again it was Williams who finished off the move.

Prop Jon Dawson made a sparkling 20-yard break deep into the visitors' 22 before being hauled down. But the home side quickly recycled possession, and Williams added Quins' third try from a David Slemen's pass.

Williams was unable to convert his second try, but at 19-3 up a sensational result looked on the cards.

The Sharks then rolled their sleeves up and quickly chipped away at the score.

Terblanche scored their first try, linking up twice in a move with his backs to narrow the gap - and then six minutes later came the score which probably changed the course of the game when Springboks centre Butch James evaded Williams to go in for a second try.

Ten minutes from the end hooker Lukas van Biljon was forced over from a line-out, and with Terblanche converting the Sharks held the lead for the first time since the ninth minute.

Further scores from Sharks full-back Ricardo Loubscher - one converted by Herkie Kruger - completed the visitors' comeback in a highly entertaining fixture.