Sharks crush Lions at Ellis Park

The Sharks raced to a ruthless 42-5 away win over stunned Super Rugby rivals the Lions on Friday.

The hosts led the South African Conference coming into this match, but they were on the back foot from the outset at Ellis Park and trailed 25-0 at the interval following first-half tries from Jacques Vermeulen, Makazole Mapimpi – who crossed twice – and Lukhanyo Am.

A scrappy start saw the Lions’ Rhyno Herbst yellow-carded after 11 minutes and the Sharks capitalised, opening the scoring as Vermeulen crossed in the corner.

Mapimpi was teed up by the rampaging Curwin Bosch for a quick second, before Am continued a dominant spell by going under the posts, with Robert du Preez this time kicking the extras and then dispatching a penalty.

FULL TIME:

An excellent bonus point win for the @CellC Sharks in wet conditions against the @LionsRugbyCo. #LIOvSHA #OurSharksForever pic.twitter.com/BKDthlPHrO

— The Sharks (@TheSharksZA) April 5, 2019

There was still time for Mapimpi to go through again before the break, but the Sharks took their foot off the gas in the second half.

Bosch kept the scoring going with a penalty from inside his own half, though, and then Thomas du Toit went over late on, Bosch’s conversion increasing the visitors’ lead further.

Sylvian Mahuza at least got the Lions on the scoreboard a minute from time, but Aphelele Fassi responded and Bosch kicked the extras again to cap a sensational bonus-point win.

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