Johannesburg - Anthony Volmink ran in nine tries, a South African first-class record, as the Golden Lions romped to a 161-3 (half-time 74-3) victory over the Limpopo Blue Bulls in their Vodacom Cup North Section match at the Alberton Rugby Club on Saturday.
Left wing Volmink was the star of the show as he completed his hat-trick in just 29 minutes while his record-breaking ninth try came three minutes before time.
The previous South African first-class record for most tries by an individual in a match was eight scored by M Watson for the Lowveld against Transkei in 1994.
The Golden Lions' winning margin of 158 points also set a new record breaking the previous best of 153 set by the Pumas against Limpopo earlier this season.
Volmink ended with 45 points while scrumhalf Guy Cronje's personal tally was 29 points, courtesy of a try and 12 conversions.
Right wing Chrysander Botha grabbed himself a hat-trick while flank Jaco Kriel dotted down twice.
Fourteen different players scored tries for the Golden Lions as the visitors ran in a total of 25 tries while Limpopo responded with a single penalty from outside centre Bronwyn Craill.
The win was enough to lift the Golden Lions into fourth place in the North Section, on 21 points, and a quarterfinal place as they knocked the Leopards XV out of a place in the knockout stages of the competition courtesy of a superior points-difference.
Limpopo have endured a miserable season, losing all seven matches while conceding more than 100 points in a game on five occasions.
Scorers:
Golden Lions - Tries: Anthony Volmink (9), Ross Cronje, Jaco Kriel (2), Warren Whiteley, JP du Plessis, Lionel Cronje, Chrysander Botha (3), Julian Redelinghuys, Francois du Toit, Guy Cronje, Deon Helberg, Vian van der Watt, JJ Breedt, Dylan des Fountain; Conversions: Guy Cronje (12), Botha (2), Kobus de Kock, Ross Cronje (3).
Limpopo Blue Bulls - Penalty: Bronwyn Craill.