It also means they were crowned South African Shield champions in the United Rugby Championship (URC) after the Bulls beat the Sharks at Loftus on Saturday night. The Shield is a mini-competition within the URC, largely contested between teams from their own countries. 

The hosts started with a bang and soon led 14–0 courtesy of tries by Siba Mahashe and Henco van Wyk, with flyhalf Chris Smith converting both tries.

The Stormers were looking less rusty in the second half and also scored their first points of the match through a penalty goal from fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu. 

But the Lions hit straight back through a converted try from utility back Erich Cronjé. The Stormers finally scored their third try when captain JD Schickerling crossed the whitewash, and Feinberg-Mngomezulu converted. Smith restored the Lions’ 14-point lead with a penalty goal just before the start of the final quarter.

Scorers

Lions: Tries – Siba Mahashe, Henco van Wyk, and Erich Cronjé. Conv. – Chris Smith. 3 Pen. – Chris Smith.

Stormers: Try – JD Schickerling. Conv. – Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu. Pen. – Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.

The Lions were crowned South African Shield champions in the United Rugby Championship. Photo: Facebook/Lions Rugby Co 

Bulls

In Saturday’s other URC match, the Bulls demolished the Sharks by 41–12 at Loftus Versfeld.

The game was delayed for 15 minutes because of a thunderstorm on the Highveld, but once the players took to the field, the Bulls showed no intention of stopping. They scored seven tries to the Sharks’ two.

The Bulls’ Embrose Papier and Harold Vorster both scored a brace of tries, while Canan Moodie, Sebastian de Klerk, and Paul de Wet also scored for the men from Pretoria. Handré Pollard was successful with three conversions. 

Sharks

Edwill van der Merwe and Hanro Jacobs scored tries for the Sharks, with Jordan Hendrikse converting only one try.

Bulls: Tries – Canan Moodie, Embrose Papier 2, Sebastian de Klerk, Harold Vorster 2, Paul de Wet. Conv. – Handre Pollard 3.

Sharks: Tries – Edwill van der Merwe, Hanro Jacobs. Conv. –  Jordan Hendrikse.

OFM Sport/Ilse Smalberger dg