In Johannesburg, the Lions scored six tries to defeat the Ospreys 35-19. The Welshmen led 12-10 at half-time after Keiran Williams and Efan Daniel responded to a try by Erich Cronjé. The hosts came out swinging in the second half and PJ Botha, Morné Brandon and Boeta Chamberlain all crossed the whitewash. 

Kelly Mpeku added two more tries for the Lions, while Ospreys scored their third through Ross Moriarty.  Lions fly-half Chris Smith was only successful with one conversion and one penalty kick.

Sharks

In Durban, the Sharks beat Leinster 26-20 to stay unbeaten after two rounds.  The Sharks led 14-7 at half-time, thanks to tries by Manu Tshituka and Lili Bester. Leinster’s first-half try came from Robbie Henshaw in the 17th minute. 

The visitors again scored first in the second half when Tom Clarkson went over, and a penalty by Sam Prendergast gave them a 15-14 lead. But Springboks André Esterhuizen and Edwill van der Merwe both scored in the last ten minutes to give the Sharks the win.

Bulls coach, Johan Ackerman. Photo: X/KickOffRugby

The Bulls were not as fortunate in Limerick, where they went down 26-22 to Munster. The sides were 14-14 at the break following a tight first half with two converted tries each.  

But second-half tries by youngster Charlie O’Shea and Alex Kendellen guaranteed the hosts the bonus-point win. On Friday, the Stormers lost narrowly to Edinburgh, 17-13.

URC Round 2 results. Photo: X/Vodacom United Rugby Championship

After the second round, the Sharks now top the standings with ten points. Cardiff, the Lions and Edinburgh all have nine points, while the Glasgow Warriors are in fifth place with eight points.

The South African teams will play in two home derbies next weekend.  On Saturday (10/10) the Bulls will host the Lions at Loftus Versfeld at 13:30, while the Sharks travel to Cape Town to play the Stormers at the DHL Stadium at 16:00.

OFM Sport/Ilse Smalberger dg