The Lions secured their second successive win in as many weeks when they edged arch-rivals the Vodacom Bulls 27–24 in a closely fought SA Rugby U23 Cup clash played on Friday evening in Polokwane.
Both teams crossed for two tries each in the first half, but a penalty goal by Lions flyhalf Sam Francis gave the Highvelders a narrow 17–14 lead at the break.
The Johannesburgers matched the Vodacom Bulls’ two unconverted second-half tries to clinch back-to-back victories in the inaugural franchise competition, following last week’s triumph in Durban. Midfielder Reinhardt Jonker dotted down for a converted try five minutes from time to seal the result for the Lions.
Junior Springbok hooker Esethu Mnebelele was among the Bulls’ three try-scorers.
Earlier in the day in Durban, the DHL Stormers XXIII handed the Hollywoodbets Sharks U23 a second consecutive defeat in their encounter on the KP2 fields.
Number eight Keke Morabe crossed for a converted try to give the Cape side a 7–0 halftime lead.
The visitors shifted into a higher gear after the restart, running in two further converted tries - both scored by winger Mfundo Ndhlovu - to claim a convincing victory. Scott Nell and Khuti Rasivhaga scored for the Sharks in the second half, but the Durbanites struggled to contend with the DHL Stormers’ pace and physicality.
The unbeaten Lions top the log with 10 points from two wins, followed by the DHL Stormers on four points. The Vodacom Bulls, meanwhile, have only one point, while the Hollywoodbets Sharks continue to chase their first log point.
The competition resumes in two weeks, when the Vodacom Bulls host traditional rivals the DHL Stormers in a north-south derby on Saturday, 11 April in Pretoria.