The Emirates Lions secured a 38-14 bonus-point win over the Hollywoodbets Sharks on Saturday, taking revenge for their last-minute loss in the 2024 Currie Cup final to the Sharks.
The Lions played the perfect territorial game while the Sharks' ill-discipline on defence and attack cost them two yellow cards and even more important the match.
The first half was dominated by the Lions, who crossed the tryline of the visitors three times as PJ Botha, Francke Horn and Edwill van der Merwe added their names to the score sheet. Gianni Lombard added two conversions to steer the Lions to a commanding 19-00 lead at the halftime break.
The Lions continued their dominance in the second half. Richard Kriel scored their bonus-point try within the first two minutes of the start of the second half to extend the Lions' lead to 24-00.
In the next twenty minutes, the Sharks clawed their way back into the game, however, the disciplined defence and poor execution of the Sharks made sure that the zero behind the Sharks' name on the scoreboard, was save.
After twenty minutes of play, Jarod Cairns bulldozed his way over the Sharks' tryline for the Lions' fifth try, Lombard added the extra two points to extend the ions' lead to 31-00.
Gianni Lombard added the Lions' sixth try, converted by Nico Steyn, extending the hosts' lead to 38-00.
Ethan Hooker and Siya Kolisi scored two consolation tries during the final two minutes for the visitors to reduce the Lions' lead to 38-14, which was the final score.
Scorers:
Emirates Lions: Tries: PJ Botha, Francke Horn, Edwill van der Merwe, Richard Kriel, Jarod Cairns, Gianni Lombard. Conversions: Gianni Lombard (3), Nico Steyn.
Hollywoodbets Sharks: Tries: Ethan Hooker, Siya Kolisi. Conversions: Jordan Hendrikse (2).
Teams
Emirates Lions: 15 Tapiwa Mafura, 14 Richard Kriel, 13 Manuel Rass, 12 Marius Louw, 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Gianni Lombard, 9 Morne van den Berg, 8 Francke Horn (c), 7 Ruan Venter, 6 JC Pretorius, 5 Darrien Landsberg, 4 Ruben Schoeman, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 PJ Botha, 1 Juan Schoeman. Replacements: 16 Jaco Visagie, 17 SJ Kotze, 18 RF Schoeman, 19 Ruan Delport, 20 Sibabalo Qoma, 21 Nico Steyn, 22 Jarod Cairns, 23 Rynhardt Jonker.
Hollywoodbets Sharks: 15 Jordan Hendrikse, 14 Yaw Penxe, 13 Jurenzo Julius, 12 Lukhanyo Am, 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Siya Masuku, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Vincent Tshituka (captain), 6 Tinotenda Mavesere, 5 Jason Jenkins, 4 Deon Slabbert, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu. Replacements: 16 Ethan Bester, 17 Dian Bleuler, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Lappies Labuschagne, 20 Siya Kolisi, 21 Grant Williams, 22 Francois Venter, 23 Eduan Keyter.