The Lions snatched a last-second 23-22 victory over the Hollywoodbets Sharks in Durban on Saturday. Following a red card to Ruan Venter at the end of the first half, the Sharks scored two unanswered tries in the second half to lead 22-18 with seconds to play.
The Lions made a “positive: start to the match, spending the first three minutes in the Sharks' half. Chris Smith converted an early penalty to give the Lions a 03-00 lead after three minutes of play.
The Lions attacked from the kick-off, and following great interplay, lock Etienne Oosthuizen crashed over for the Lions' first try of the match. Chris Smith converted to extend the Lions' lead to 10-00 after seven minutes of play in the first half.
Two minutes later, it was captain Francke Horn who scored in the corner to extend the Lions' lead to 15-00.
The Sharks clawed their way back into the game with their big men attacking around the edges. Eventually, it was Manu Tshituka who crashed over from short range to cut the Lions' lead to 15-05 after fifteen minutes of play in the first half.
Ten minutes later, Siya Kolisi scored off the back of a lineout-maul. Jordan Hendrikse added the extra two points, making it a three-point game. The Lions led 15-12.
A second converted penalty by Chris Smith extended the lead of the visitors to 18-12 with eight minutes left to play in the first half.
Following a comedy of errors made by both sides, it was eventually the Sharks’ Jason Jenkins who crashed over for the Sharks' third try. Jordan Hendrikse could not convert, and the Lions led 18-17 with time up on the clock.
The Sharks opened the second half when Manu Tshituka crashed over the Lions' tryline after just two minutes of play in the second half.
With twenty-two minutes still to play, the Lions were caught sleeping, when Grant Williams took a quick tap in his own half. He kicked a grubber that was collected by Edwill van der Merwe, who scored in the corner to give the Sharks a 22-18 lead for the first time in the match.
The Sharks continued to apply pressure during the final ten minutes of the match; however, several penalties on the Sharks' tryline resulted in Haashim Pead sniping to score the Lions’ winning try to secure a last-second 23-22 victory.
Scorers:
Hollywoodbets Sharks: Tries: Manu Tshituka, Siya Kolisi, Jason Jenkins, Edwill van der Merwe. Conversion: Jordan Hendrikse.
Lions: Tries: Etienne Oosthuizen, Francke Horn, Haashim Pead. Conversion: Chris Smith. Penalties: Chris Smith (2).
Teams:
Hollywoodbets Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Ethan Hooker, 12 Andre Esterhuizen (c), 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Manu Tshituka, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Hanro Jacobs, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche. Replacements: 16 Eduan Swart, 17 Phatu Ganyane, 18 Mawande Mdanda, 19 Corne Rahl, 20 Phepsi Buthelezi, 21 Nick Hatton, 22 Jaden Hendrikse, 23 Siya Masuku.
Lions: 15 Quan Horn, 14 Kelly Mpeku, 13 Erich Cronje, 12 Bronson Mills, 11 Angelo Davids, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Morne van den Berg, 8 Francke Horn (c), 7 Ruan Venter, 6 Jarod Cairns, 5 Ruben Schoeman, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 PJ Botha, 1 Eddie Davids. Replacements: 16 Morne Brandon, 17 RF Schoeman, 18 Conrad van Vuuren, 19 Ruan Delport, 20 Renzo du Plessis, 21 Siba Qoma, 22 Haashim Pead, 23 Richard Kriel.