Two late tries from replacement hooker Morne Brandon sealed the win for the hosts after full-back Quan Horn and Franco Marais had earlier crossed the Scarlets line. Chris Smith and Gianni Lombard kicked nine points between them.

All Scarlets could muster was a penalty and a score from Joe Roberts, while Sam Costelow added six points from the kicking tee. The Lions led 5-3 at the break, with the match only really coming alive in the second half.

Scorers 

Lions – Tries: Morne Brandon (2), Quan Horn, Franco Marais. Penalties: Chris Smith, Gianni Lombard (2).

Scarlets – Tries: Penalty try, Joe Roberts. runners must be disappointed Sam Costelow (2)

Ulster triumph over Springbok-laden Sharks 

In Durban, things were less rosy for the Sharks, who went down 34-26 against Ulster. The Sharks, who had the services of five Springboks, looked out of sorts. Ulster dominated from the start and led 20-5 at half-time.

Siya Kolisi and Makazole Mapimpi scored for the Sharks, who were also lucky enough to get a penalty try, and with it a bonus point. It was not enough to stop an inspired Ulster from getting only their third URC win on the road in the past year.

Scorers 

Ulster – Tries: Mike Lowry, Werner Kok, Tom Stewart, and Callum Reid; Conversions: Nathan Doak 4; Penalties: Nathan Doak 2.

Sharks 26 – Tries: Siya Kolisi, Makazole Mapimpi, and Andre Esterhuizen; Penalty try; Conversions: Siya Masuku and Jordan Hendrikse.

Another bonus-point win for Stormers 

The Stormers kept up their winning ways in Parma on Saturday night to beat Zebre 31-13. 

Thanks to another powerful performance from the forwards and the brilliance of Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu at the back, the DHL Stormers made it four out of four wins so far in their Vodacom United Rugby Championship campaign as they beat Zebre 31-13.

The bonus point win sees them retain their place at the top of the standings as one of only three unbeaten teams remaining after four rounds.

Scorers

Stormers 31 – Tries: Paul de Villiers, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu 2, Warrick Gelant and Ruhan Nel; Conversions: Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu 3.

Zebre 13 - Try: Mirko Belloni; Conversion: Giacomo de Rea; Penalties: Giacomo de Rea 2.

OFM Sport/Ilse Smalberger dg