17 Feb 2018
Thanks for tuning in!
The Lions picked up four points for their victory, while the Sharks
left with a single point for losing by seven or fewer points.
In next weekend's Round 2 action, the Lions welcome the Jaguares to Ellis Park (Saturday, February 24 at 15:05), while the Sharks have a bye.
Stay tuned to Sport24 for reaction following the opening weekend of Super Rugby 2018.
17 Feb 2018
The MAN-OF-THE-MATCH accolade has gone to Lions left wing Aphiwe Dyantyi, who scored a brilliant solo try.
17 Feb 2018
A deserved win for the Lions, whose dominance at scrum time enabled them to control matters for most parts.
The Lions have showed again that they will be tough to beat at home this season!
17 Feb 2018
FULL-TIME: Lions 26-19 Sharks
17 Feb 2018
80'- Janse van Rensburg redeems himself with a crushing tackle on Am, who loses possession to end the Sharks' hopes...
17 Feb 2018
79'- With 10 seconds remaining, Janse van Rensburg is pinged for holding on to the ball on the ground. It will hand the Sharks one final attacking lineout...
17 Feb 2018
79'- Lions in possession with less than a minute remaining...
17 Feb 2018
78'- But the Lions win another penalty. This time replacement flank Hacjivah Dayimani gets pats on the back!
17 Feb 2018
77'- Wow, is there another twist in this game? The Sharks win a scrum penalty, allowing them to set up another attacking lineout...
17 Feb 2018
76'- CARRIES
Lions 87
Sharks 77
17 Feb 2018
76' - METRES MADE ON ATTACK
Lions 335m
Sharks 364m
17 Feb 2018
75'- Great defence from the Lions sees them win a turnover! Replacement flank Marnus Schoeman gets several pats on the back...
17 Feb 2018
74'- Another Sharks penalty sees Du Preez set up another lineout...
17 Feb 2018
74' - Jantjies' goal-kicking woes could prove costly for the Lions here...
17 Feb 2018
73'- A great run from Bosch brings the Sharks into Lions territory.... moments later they win a penalty, allowing Du Preez to set up an attacking lineout...
17 Feb 2018
72' - Jantjies is a confidence player. Once he loses it, he loses it badly... at the moment he can't throw the ball over the posts from in front...
17 Feb 2018
72' - Oh dear, Jantjies misses a sitter!
17 Feb 2018
71'- A Sharks high tackle is penalised by referee Jackson which allows Jantjies another shot at goal. It's in the middle of the park, just outside the Sharks' 22m area...
17 Feb 2018
68'- Jantjies' cross-kick is gathered by Dyantyi in the red zone, but the Lions winger is then bundled into touch... I'm never a fan of kicking possession away in the opposition's 22m area...
17 Feb 2018
67' - TURNOVERS CONCEDED
Lions 16
Sharks 11
17 Feb 2018
66' - Lions subs: Rohan Janse van Rensburg and Hacjivah Dayimani on, Harold Vorster and Cyle Brink off.
17 Feb 2018
65' - CARRIES
Lions 76
Sharks 71
17 Feb 2018
64'- Jantjies' penalty is struck well but does not have the legs! Quite surprising given the game is played at altitude...
17 Feb 2018
63'- The Lions win a crucial scrum penalty. It's just inside Sharks territory and Jantjies will line up a long-range shot at goal.
17 Feb 2018
62' - METRES MADE ON ATTACK
Lions 243m
Sharks 279m
17 Feb 2018
60'- Sharks subs: Grant Williams on for Cameron Wright, Curwin Bosch on for Lwazi Mvovo.
17 Feb 2018
59'- Jantjies misses what could be a crucial conversion.
Lions 26-19 Sharks
17 Feb 2018
58'- TRY awarded to Kwagga Smith!
17 Feb 2018
The question here is whether there was a double movement from Smith. It's looks fine to me - he just rolled over once before dotting down...
17 Feb 2018
58'- TMO CALL
Kwagga Smith takes a quick tap off a penalty and goes over but the TMO is called into action to check.
Referee Glen Jackson's on-field decision is a try...
17 Feb 2018
57' - Lions immediately back on the attack. Can they cash in?
17 Feb 2018
Andries Coetzee knocking on at the restart just again emphasised the importance of taking your kick-offs!
17 Feb 2018
55'- CONVERSION slotted by Du Preez.
Lions 21-19 Sharks
17 Feb 2018
54'- TRY to the Sharks as left wing Makazole Mapimpi canters over near the corner. He took a well-timed looping pass over the top from Cameron Wright...
17 Feb 2018
53' - Coetzee almost from hero to zero as he knocks on at the subsequent kick-off. It hands the Sharks a scrum five metres from the Lions tryline...
17 Feb 2018
52'- CONVERSION slotted by Jantjies.
Lions 21-12 Sharks
17 Feb 2018
51'- TRY to the Lions as Lionel Mapoe rounds off to grab his second try of the game!
17 Feb 2018
51'- A great break from inside his own half from Andries Coetzee brings the Lions into the red zone...
17 Feb 2018
49'- Sharks sub: Akker van der Merwe is on at hooker, replacing Franco Marais.
17 Feb 2018
49'- Oh dear, Du Preez's attempt sails right... poor effort...
17 Feb 2018
48'- A scrum penalty for the Sharks! The prop replacements have clearly made a difference. It allows Du Preez to line up a shot at goal, about 45m out...
17 Feb 2018
45'- However, the Lions win a penalty on the ground to bring some relief...
17 Feb 2018
44'- The Sharks are back into the red zone following a strong counter attack from deep...
17 Feb 2018
42'- Du Preez's conversion attempt hits the right-hand upright but it stays wide...
Lions 14-12 Sharks
17 Feb 2018
41'- TRY to the Sharks as Sibusiso Nkosi goes over in the corner. It was set up by a nice break by Du Preez, before a great finish by the Sharks flyer...
17 Feb 2018
The Sharks have taken off both their props - Juan Schoeman and Thomas du Toit off, replaced by John-Hubert Meyer and Tendai Mtawarira.