Scarlets came agonisingly close to upsetting a Hollywoodbets Sharks side stacked with Springboks in a thrilling BKT United Rugby Championship clash at Parc y Scarlets.

A pumped-up home side were pushing for a match-winning score in the final play of the game, but the South Africans managed to hold out to claim a 32-27 win.

A losing bonus point was the least the Scarlets deserved from a much-improved performance in front of a vocal crowd in Llanelli.

Skipper Ryan Elias led from the front, while there were also outstanding displays from centre Johnny Williams and full-back Ioan Nicholas.

However, the Sharks forward power, particularly at scrum time, proved decisive, with wing Werner Kok the beneficiary with a hat-trick of tries.

It was Scarlets who flew out of the blocks, charging down the clearance from the restart which led to a third-minute penalty from the boot of Sam Costelow.

The Sharks then struck in clinical fashion with slick hands from World Cup winner Lukhanyo Am in midfield allowing Kok to race into the corner.

Costelow landed a second penalty from straight in front, answered by a three-pointer from opposite number Siya Masuku before the Scarlets struck with a brilliant counter-attacking score on 18 minutes.

Nicholas provided the spark from deep, freeing Tomi Lewis up the touchline. When the ball was recycled, impressive centre Johnny Williams provided the direct threat, Sam Lousi a deft off-load and it was skipper Elias who finished in style, beating three defenders on the way to the line.

Costrelow added the extras, but the Scarlets then got dragged into an arm wrestle for the remainder of the half and it led to Springbok prop Vincent Koch ploughing over from close-range after a series of drives close to the home line. Masuku converted to make it 17-13 at the break.

The fly-half added a further penalty five minutes after the restart as Sharks, with their scrum a massive weapon, threatened to take a grip on the contest, but back came the Scarlets with their second try of the night.

Nicholas was again the architect, combining with Williams and when the ball came into the hands of prop Kemsley Mathias, the Wales international loose-head showed superb strength to power over for the touchdown.

Costelow converted again, but Scarlets failed to secure the restart and Sharks punished the home side with a second try from Kok, courtesy of a superb cross-kick from player of the match Masuku.

A carbon copy third for Kok appeared to put the game out of sight, but the Scarlets refused to throw the towel in.

A brilliant offload from Taine Plutmtree set replacement Kieran Hardy on his way to the line. The scrum-half was hauled down just short, but Scarlets showed patience to put Nicholas over wide out - his first Scarlets try in five years.

Costelow nailed the extras and with the crowd on their feet, there was one more chance with Scarlets earning a five-metre attacking line-out just as the clock entered the red.

However, Sharks were able to repel the assault and see out the win ahead of their European Challenge Cup semi-final next weekend.

Scarlets - tries: R. Elias, K. Mathias, I. Nicholas. Cons: S. Costelow (3). Pens: Costelow (3).

Sharks - tries: W. Kok (3), V. Koch. Cons: S. Masuku (3). Pens: Masuku (2).

Att: 6,820