Big Xmas box for Sharks as they down Lions
MATCH REPORT: The Sharks built on their impressive Champions Cup form to beat the Lions 37-10 in Durban.
After overcoming Harlequins and Bordeaux-Begles in the Champions Cup, the Sharks ran in five tries and scored 22 unanswered second-half points to get the better of their South African rivals.
Wing Makazole Mapimpi crossed twice as Boeta Chamberlain, Grant Williams and replacement Siya Kolisi also got in on the try-scoring act with the bonus point claimed six minutes from time.
The Sharks started on the front foot and should have taken a fifth-minute lead.
Jeandre Labuschagne broke the Lions’ defensive cover and Mapimpi was in space to take the pass close to the line.
But Mapimpi did not gather cleanly and Edwill van der Merwe got back to stop the score.
Mapimpi made no mistake two minutes later when Rohan Janse van Rensburg barged past Rynhardt Jonker and found the wing on his inside. Curwin Bosch added the conversion.
The Sharks extended their lead after 16 minutes with a well-crafted try.
Williams, Lukhanyo Am and Bosch produced some slick passing for full-back Chamberlain to breeze over.
The Lions appeared to be facing an uphill battle but straight from the restart Labuschagne spilled Jordan Hendrikse’s kick.
Van der Merwe had chased hard and kicked on to accept a Christmas gift that Hendrikse converted to make the score 12-7.
The Sharks’ senses were scrambled for a little time after that as some poor execution let down the hosts.
But the Lions had to rely on defensive resilience to hold up the Sharks after Phepsi Buthelezi had driven close to the posts from the back of a scrum.
Scorers
For the Sharks
Tries: Mapimpi 2, Chamberlain, Williams, Kolisi.
Cons: Bosch 2, Cronje
Pens: Bosch, Cronje
For the Lions
Try: Edwill van der Merwe
Con: Jordan Hendrikse
Pen: Jordan Hendrikse
Sharks: 15 Henry Chamberlain, 14 Werner Kok, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Phendulani Buthelezi (captain), 7 Jeandre Labuschagne, 6 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 Vincent Tshituka, 3 Carlu SAdie, 2 Dan Jooste, 1 Thomas du Toit.
Replacements: 16 Kerron van Vuuren, 17 Dian Bleuler, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Gerbrandt Grobler, 20 Siyamthanda Kolisi, 21 Jaden Hendrikse, 22 Lionel Cronje, 23 Ben Tapuai.
Lions: 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Rynhardt Jonker, 12 Marius Louw, 11 Quan Horn, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Sanele Nohamba, 8 Ruan Venter, 7 Darrien Landsberg, 6 Emmanuel Tshituka, 5 Reinhard Nothnagel (captain), 4 Willem Alberts, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 Pieter Botha, 1 Jean-Pierre Smith.
Replacements: 16 Jaco Visagie, 17 Sithembiso Sithole, 18 Ruan Smith, 19 Pieter Jansen van Vuren, 20 Jaco Kriel, 21 Andre Warner, 22 Gianni Lombard, 23 Stean Pienaar.
Referee: Aimee Barrett-Theron (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Stephan Geldenhuys (South Africa) and Paul Mente (South Africa)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuisen (South Africa)
