A shark managed to deflate a boat during a chaotic sardine run in South Africa.

Emily Cehrs was on a boat off the coast of Chinta East, when the shark decided to pop up and make itself known.

Cehrs and her pals had gone out on the boat to experience the sardine run, which is when all of the fish migrate south - followed by countless hungry predators, among them sharks.

And while they had hoped to get up close to nature, they weren’t quite prepared for how close.

In shocking footage, the shark can be seen getting a little too close for comfort and almost sinking the boat after it managed to puncture it, leaving it partially deflated.

The shark popped up as the boat was above a bait ball - a phenomenon when fish form a giant ball to protect themselves from predators.

Thankfully, the boat didn’t sink and those on board were able to safely return to dry land.

Cehrs said: "During the sardine run, you can see so much wildlife including whales, dolphins, penguins, sharks, and sea turtles.

"However, this time, a shark got slightly too close for comfort.

"It deflated our boat and we were all a little worried that the whole boat would sink, but luckily only a small portion deflated and we were able to motor back to shore."

She added: "We quickly left the area and moved away from the bait ball that was underneath our boat. We then had to motor back to shore very slowly, so that the boat didn't sink.

"Despite the worrying moment, it was amazing seeing the chaos of the sardine run.

"There were dolphins, whales, and sharks surrounding us and feeding off of the bait ball that was underneath our boat.

"It was very special getting to see all of the wildlife up close." Rather you than me, pal.

Earlier this year, wildlife photographer Rainer Schimpf got swallowed up whole by a whale during the sardine run.

Snorkelling in the sea just off Port Elizabeth Harbour, Schimpf ended up being gobbled up by a Bryde's whale as he tried to capture the sardine run in all its glory.

Fortunately, he survived the whole thing without even so much as a scratch, but had the whale decided to dive down while he was still stuck inside its mouth he would most likely have died.

Luckily, it ultimately spat him out to safety instead of dragging him down to a watery grave.