As it happened: Lions v Sharks

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Commentary by Sport24's Herman Mostert

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21:08 - PICTURE

Sharks centre S’bura Sithole was named man-of-the-match (Gallo Images).

21:03 - KEY STATS

Metres run: Lions 224-519 Sharks
Carries: Lions 69-91 Sharks
Defenders beaten: Lions 13-21 Sharks
Clean breaks: Lions 1-6 Sharks
Tackles made: Lions 86-69 Sharks
Tackles missed: Lions 21-13 Sharks
Turnovers won: Lions 8-9 Sharks
Kicks in play: Lions 30-25 Sharks
Lineouts won: Lions 8-12 Sharks
Lineouts lost: Lions 4-2 Sharks
Scrums won: Lions 8-3 Sharks
Scrums lost: Lions 1-1 Sharks
Penalties conceded: Lions 14-12 Sharks

21:03 - A well-deserved win for the Sharks. They are now back on top of the overall Super Rugby standings. They bossed almost all the facets of play and it was only some gutsy defence from the Lions which kept them in the game.

In next week's action, the Lions travel to Cape Town to play the Stormers, while the Sharks are at home to the Cheetahs.

21:00 - PICTURE

Referee Craig Joubert was a tad frustrated by the constant complaining of Sharks skipper Bismarck du Plessis... (Gallo Images)

20:58 - JANNIE DU PLESSIS STILL MOANING!

Just after full-time, Jannie du Plessis can be heard complaining to referee Craig Joubert that he shouldn't have given him a yellow card earlier in the game.

You are wrong Jannie, go look at the replay. Foul play should not be tolerated!

20:58 - FULL-TIME: Lions 12-25 Sharks

20:57 - At the ensuing scrum, Ungerer passes to Marais who boots it out to end the game...

20:57 - Franco Mostert knocks it at the lineout and that should be that...

20:56 - With one minute left, the Lions have an attacking lineout inside the Sharks 22. They are hunting a bonus point...

20:55 - Etienne Oosthuizen also on for Willem Alberts, and Stefan Ungerer on for Charl McLeod.

Elton Jantjies also on for the Lions.

20:53  - Kyle Cooper has replaced Sharks captain Bismarck du Plessis.

The game should be over with just two-and-a-half minutes left...

20:51 - TWEETS

Love the fight in the Lions, but the greater good is served by the Sharks winning. They are the only SA team capable of winning it all - Clinton van der Berg

Now the Lions in the tomato sauce - as @Ashwinwillemse says, playing ketchup rugby! LOL - Dan Retief

20:48 - PENALTY converted by Steyn.

Lions 12-25 Sharks after 72 minutes.

20:47 - Another chance at points for the Sharks as Bismarck wins a penalty at the breakdown.

Steyn to line up from 35m out, about 15m in-field...

20:46 - ATTENDANCE: 35 000

Good to see the fans flocking back to Ellis Park!

20:45 - Dale Chadwick replaces The Beast for the Sharks.

20:45 - He misses it to the left...

20:45 - Steyn to line up another penalty for the Sharks. Right in the corner...

20:43 - CONVERSION by Steyn.

Lions 12-22 Sharks after 67 minutes.

20:42 - TRY! Lwazi Mvovo scores under the posts after a brilliant chip-and-chase by himself.

It was set up after S’bura Sithole won a brilliant turnover for the Sharks just outside the Lions 22m area.

20:41 - LIONS SKIPPER OFF

Warren Whiteley replaced by Jaco Kriel.

20:40 - PENALTY kicked by Boshoff.

Lions 12-15 Sharks after 64 minutes.

20:39 - The Lions look to hit right back and win a penalty when the Sharks are caught off-side...

Boshoff will line up a relatively easy kick...

20:38 - Three Lions substitutions made. Nos 1, 3 and 4 all off...

20:37 - PENALTY converted by Steyn.

Lions 9-15 Sharks after 62 minutes.

20:37 - De Klerk is caught off-side and Steyn will get an easy penalty chance...

20:36 - The Sharks counter and surge into the Lions 22m area...

20:35 -  A brilliant box-kick by De Klerk sees Mapoe chase it before dropping it cold after doing all the hard work! That could have spelled danger for the Sharks on half-way there...

20:34 - Robbie Coetzee is now permanently on for Willie Wepener at hooker for the Lions.

20:33 - PENALTY converted by Boshoff.

Lions 9-12 Sharks after 58 minutes.

20:32 - The TMO, Marius Jonker, rules NO TRY. But play goes back for a Lions penalty next to the posts. Marcell Coetzee the culprit...

20:30 - The Lions are over the line but look to be held up... The TMO has to decide.

Referee Craig Joubert thinks it was held up. He says he just wants to check and will go back for a Lions penalty as a Sharks player had played the ball off his feet at a ruck...

20:29 - A brilliant break from Courtnall Skosan in midfield puts the Lions hot on attack inside the Sharks 22m area...

20:27 - SP Marais has replaced centurion Odwa Ndungane for the Sharks. He will play fullback, with Lwazi Mvovo going to wing.

Lourens Adriaanse is also on at prop for Jannie du Plessis.

20:26 - Steyn next responds with a 63m drop attempt! He has the distance but it's away to the right...

20:25 - Steyn just about has the distance, but it's away to the left of the uprights...

20:25 - Another Sharks penalty. Steyn will again line up. This one is about 60m away!

20:24 - Steyn kicks another monster PENALTY.

Lions 6-12 Sharks after 51 minutes.

20:23 - Another penalty in range for Steyn. He will line up from about 55m out...

20:22 - The Beast is penalised at the ensuing restart, but the Lions opt for a quick tap only to lose it forward...

The Sharks then counter up-field via Mvovo before Jannie du Plessis drops it cold!

Moral of the story: The Lions should have taken the kick at goal!

20:21 - PENALTY by Steyn. A massive kick from the Springbok!

Lions 6-9 Sharks after 48 minutes.

20:20 - Lions captain Warren Whiteley goes off his feet at a ruck just inside the Sharks half...

Steyn to line up...

20:17 - Helter-skelter stuff early in the second half as both teams try and run from inside their own half. Some great turnovers halting the momentum of both though... It's 6-6 in that department so far!

20:14 - The second half has barely started and already there are problems at scrum time... Damn, these scrums are spoiling the modern game!

20:12 - The Sharks had 72% territory in the first half. If they maintain that they must surely win, right...!?

20:11 - Welcome back for the second period. Frans Steyn starts play...

20:09 - PICTURE

Alwyn Hollenbach on the charge... (Gallo Images)

20:03 - FIRST HALF STATS

Metres run: Lions 69-298 Sharks
Carries: Lions 21-59 Sharks
Defenders beaten: Lions 3-12 Sharks
Clean breaks: Lions 0-2 Sharks
Tackles made: Lions 57-22 Sharks
Tackles missed: Lions 12-3 Sharks
Turnovers won: Lions 5-5 Sharks
Kicks in play: Lions 15-14 Sharks
Lineouts won: Lions 5-8 Sharks
Lineouts lost: Lions 2-1 Sharks
Scrums won: Lions 4-1 Sharks
Scrums lost: Lions 1-0 Sharks
Penalties conceded: Lions 8-7 Sharks

19:59 - HALF-TIME: Lions 6-6 Sharks

19:58 - NO TRY! The TMO rules that Alberts held back Stefan Watermeyer and the Lions win a penalty. Absolutely the correct call!

19:56 - TRY/NO TRY?

Willem Alberts thinks he's scored for the Sharks but to me it looks like a Lions player was held back...

Alberts pounced after the ball was ripped out of Tendai Mtawarira's hands but Alberts held back a Lions player before diving on the ball.

The TMO must decide... he must also check for earlier indiscretions and/or knock-ons...

19:55 - Wepener is now back on for the Lions. He appears to have passed a concussion test.

But the Sharks are back on the attack...

19:53 - But the hosts win a penalty on the ground, and Boshoff kicks a MONSTER up-field to get them inside Sharks territory...

19:52 - Sharks hot on the attack, only scrambling Lions defence keeping them out...

19:50 - PICTURE

Deon van Rensburg's night ended early... (Gallo Images)

19:48 - PENALTY converted by Boshoff.

Lions 6-6 Sharks after 32 minutes.

19:46 - The Lions win a kickable penalty as Charl McLeod is caught off-side...

Boshoff lines up from about 40m out...

19:44 - Robbie Coetzee has replaced Willie Wepener at hooker for the Lions...

19:42 - JANNIE BACK!

Jannie du Plessis is now back from his time spent in the sin-bin. The Lions will be disappointed having not really bossed the period he was off...

19:42 - Frans Steyn tries a snap drop out of nowhere but misses it to the right...

19:40 - A penalty close to the touchline sees the Sharks opt for an attacking lineout... but they butcher it and the Lions are off the hook!

19:39 - Bok flank Marcell Coetzee proving a menace on the ground for the Lions. He wins a turnover to put the Sharks on attack...

19:34 - NEW FLYHALF FOR SHARKS

Heimar Williams has replaced Fred Zeilinga (hamstring) for the Sharks.

Frans Steyn will now play flyhalf...

Sharks depth to be really tested now!

19:33 - PENALTY converted by Boshoff. 

Lions 3-6 Sharks after 18 minutes.

19:32 - YELLOW CARD for Jannie du Plessis.

Good decision. That was cynical by the Bok prop! The Du Plessis brothers too often get away with off-the-ball incidents. Remember Bismarck's stamping incident against the Cheetahs in last year's Currie Cup semi-final?

19:31 - Referee Craig Joubert also asking for potential foul play by Jannie du Plessis, who played Lionel Mapoe off the ball with his shoulder... He should be off for that!

19:31 - OUCH! Another player is going off. Zeilinga has pulled a hamstring.

19:29 - Sharks penalised after the scrum, Faf de Klerk takes a quick tap and the move ends with a Sharks penalty...

Should have opted for goal there!

19:27 - Two knock-ons inside a minute from the Sharks - first from Jannie du Plessis and then Fred Zeilinga under a high ball - give the Lions an attacking chance inside Sharks territory...

19:26 - Let-off for the Lions - and transgressor Martin Muller - as Zeilinga misses it to the left.

19:25 - Ryan Kankowski is played in the air at a lineout which gives the Sharks another shot at goal.

Zeilinga to line up from about 35m out, 10m in from touch...

19:24 - A promising attacking chance from the Lions ends when Bismarck du Plessis wins a penalty on the ground. Immense strength displayed from the Bok hooker! 

19:22 - The Sharks dominate a scrum but are penalised for turning it... which gives the Lions an attacking chance inside Sharks territory...

19:19 - The Lions win the ball from the ensuing kick-off and Boshoff lines up a drop goal, but misses badly to the right.

19:18 - PENALTY

While all that was happening, the Sharks received a penalty, which Zeilinga converts from about 40m out. Lock Franco Mostert was caught off-side in front of the kicker...

Lions 0-6 Sharks after 5 minutes.

19:16 - OUCH! Lions wing Deon van Rensburg is in serious pain after contesting a high ball with Sharks fullback Lwazi Mvovo. The stretcher is called for...

Looks like a bad knock to the knee for Van Rensburg, who is replaced by Alwyn Hollenbach.

19:15 - PENALTY converted by Zeilinga.

Lions 0-3 Sharks after 4 minutes.

19:14 - Sharks win a penalty as the Lions are caught off-side close to their own line...

Zeilinga lines up from in front.

19:13 - A first lineout loss by the Lions gives the Sharks another attacking chance but a weak pass from Zeilinga halts play...

19:11 - A great start by the Sharks as Ndungane runs straight through half of the Lions team.

The Sharks surge up to the Lions 22m area but are tackle out...

19:11 - Boshoff starts proceedings...

19:08 - Odwa Ndungane runs in front for the Sharks for his 100th Super Rugby game!

19:07 - CHANGE TO SHARKS BENCH

Heymar Williams has replaced Paul Jordaan on the Sharks bench.

19:05 - It's great conditions for rugby at Ellis Park. Not much wind to speak of and cool, crisp conditions.

We won't see as much points as the previous game in Bloemfontein, but lets hope for some running rugby!

18:30 - SPORT24 'EXPERT' PICKS

Sport24's self-proclaimed experts - Editor Garrin Lambley and Chief Writer Rob Houwing - give you their thoughts on today's match.

Click HERE to listen to their thoughts...

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OFFICIALS

Referee: Craig Joubert
Assistant referees: Marius van der Westhuizen, Stefan Breytenbach
TMO: Marius Jonker

RECENT RESULTS

2014: Sharks won 37-23, Durban
2012: Lions won 38-28, Johannesburg
2012: Sharks won 32-20, Durban
2011: Lions and Sharks drew 30-all, Johannesburg
2011: Sharks won 27-3, Durban
2010: Sharks won 32-28, Johannesburg

TEAMS

Lions

15. Andries Coetzee, 14. Deon van Rensburg, 13. Lionel Mapoe, 12. Stefan Watermeyer, 11. Courtnall Skosan, 10. Marnitz Boshoff, 9. Faf de Klerk, 8. Warren Whiteley (captain), 7. Willie Britz, 6. Derick Minnie, 5. Franco Mostert, 4. Martin Muller, 3. Julian Redelinghuys, 2. Willie Wepener, 1. Schalk van der Merwe

Substitutes: 16. Robbie Coetzee, 17. Corne Fourie, 18. Ruan Dreyer, 19. MB Lusaseni, 20. Jaco Kriel, 21. Ross Cronje, 22. Elton Jantjies, 23. Alwyn Hollenbach

Sharks

15. Lwazi Mvovo, 14. Odwa Ndungane, 13. S’bura Sithole, 12. Frans Steyn, 11. JP Pietersen, 10. Fred Zeilinga, 9. Charl McLeod, 8. Ryan Kankowski, 7. Jean Deysel, 6. Marcell Coetzee, 5. Stephan Lewies, 4. Willem Alberts, 3. Jannie du Plessis, 2. Bismarck du Plessis (captain), 1. Tendai Mtawarira

Substitutes: 16. Kyle Cooper, 17. Dale Chadwick, 18. Lourens Adriaanse, 19. Etienne Oosthuizen, 20. Keegan Daniel, 21. Stefan Ungerer, 22. Heymar Williams, 23. SP Marais

Welcome to Sport24's LIVE scoring and interactive commentary on today's Super Rugby match between the Lions and Sharks at Ellis Park in Johannesburg!