Bottom-of-the-table Sharks came to Johannesburg to prove a point and it was indeed Sharks fly-half Siya Masuku who drew first blood with a penalty kick in the third minute.

After that, it was all Lions, with tries by Sanele Nohamba, JC Pretorius and Quan Horn, with two of the tries converted by fly-half Jordan Hendrikse.  The Sharks came back strongly late in the first half, with Eduan Keyter scoring a try in the 27th minute, which was converted by Siya Masuko.  A try shortly before half-time by Aphelele Fassi was cancelled due to illegal play from Ntuthuko Mchunu.

The half-time score was 19 – 10 for the Lions and then the heavens opened and the start of the second half had to be delayed by more than 30 minutes.

The Sharks lost their way completely in the second half, with only the Lions scoring – all players from the bench.  Conraad van Vuuren scored the bonus point try on his debut in the 64th minute, with Erich Cronje and Hanru Sirgel also joining the party.  The final score 40 – 10, with Jordan Hendrikse converting five out of the six tries.  Man of the Match was the Lions, Sanele Nohamba, who not only scored the first try but also instrumental in many of the Lions’ points.

OFM Sport/Ilse Smalberger