Rugby: Waratahs leave South Africa winless for first time ever

Israel Folau is challenged by Franco Marais of the Sharks during their match this morning (NZT) in Durban, South Africa. Photo / Photosport.

The NSW Waratahs will return home from South Africa empty-handed for the first time in Super Rugby history following an error-riddled 37-14 loss to the Sharks in Durban.

A 27-point haul from the Sharks' classy teenage five-eighth Curwin Bosch offset a try-scoring double from Israel Folau as the Waratahs backed up their 55-36 defeat to the Lions with another disappointing display.

Two long-range first-half tries against the run of play hurt the Waratahs, who failed to accrue even a losing bonus point in Africa for the first time in 21 years of the competition.

"They really hurt the morale of the team. You're up the other end and then you have to run back under the sticks," said Waratahs captain Michael Hooper.

"But, again, it's been a successful tour on the training paddock.

"We haven't got the results but it's early doors yet in the season and we'll build from this."

After leaking eight tries and 55 points against the Lions, the Waratahs had their line breached inside two minutes at Kings Park.

But after being unable to convert Tera Mtembu's early try, star five-eighth Patrick Lambie was forced off the field with a back injury.

Lambie's absence failed to slow the Sharks' fast and furious start, with 19 -year-old Bosch providing the next 13 points in as many minutes from a runaway try - after a Tahs error - the conversion and two penalties.

The Waratahs again paid dearly for ill-discipline, conceding 10 points while flanker Jack Dempsey was in the sin bin for a lifting tackle, as the Sharks raced to an 18-0 lead.

Folau's first try, off Bryce Hegarty's probing chip kick, gave the Waratahs hope - only for two more penalties from Bosch and a deflating long-range strike after the halftime siren for Kobus van Wyk sent the Sharks to the sheds with a commanding 31-7 lead.

With Folau heavily involved and looking dangerous, the Tahs threatened a revival when the superstar centre crossed for his second try just two minutes after the interval.

Two more Bosch penalties were all the Sharks could manage in the second half - but the damage had been done.

"We're not going to take anything from that. We didn't get the points at the end of the day so it's disappointing," Hooper said.

"We had some chances weren't good enough with them.

"The Sharks really put pressure on us from the word go and we couldn't deal with it."

The Waratahs, with a one-from-three start to 2017, host Australian conference leaders the Brumbies in Sydney on Saturday night.