SALE Sharks director of rugby Alex Sanderson hailed the “world-class” qualities of South Africa scrum-half Faf De Klerk following his side’s victory over Newcastle – and warned there is still more to come from the World Cup winner.

The Sharks made it back-to-back wins as tries from Marland Yarde, Lood De Jager and Simon Hammersley helped them to a 31-16 victory.

De Klerk was instrumental in the triumph, setting up the first score with a bullet pass and overall producing an excellent display.

“Faf was superb again wasn’t he? He’s world-class as it is right now but he’s still progressing in the game. We can still get quicker ball to him though,” Sanderson said ahead of Saturday’s trip to Northampton Saints.

“If we can get some X-factor like Manu Tuilagi or Rohan Janse Van Rensburg in there, they get you quick ball. That’s when you’re super dangerous isn’t it? We’ll see where he goes from there.

“At the moment, though, he’s getting a better platform from the forwards with the maul and the scrum. But there’s certainly more to come from him.”

Sanderson also praised the Sharks defence as they conceded just one try against the Falcons despite being under plenty of pressure in the second half.

He added: “It’s not just in the system, it’s in the mentality, which is what it essentially comes down to.  We thought we lacked a little bit of intensity post the Bristol game for a couple of weeks and we’ve been trying to get back there.”