After months of licking their wounds from last year’s Currie Cup final defeat, the Lions finally got the payback they’d been waiting for — and they didn’t hold back.
In a statement-making performance at Ellis Park, they thrashed the Sharks 46-5, scoring seven tries and leaving no doubt about who was in control from the opening whistle.
Fast Start Sets the Tone
The home crowd barely had time to settle in before the Lions struck.
Jarod Cairns got things going with an early try, quickly followed by Rabz Maxwane, who finished off a slick team move that began with an electrifying break from Angelo Davids.
Nico Steyn then added some flair, sending a cross-field chip that Maxwane gathered perfectly to score again.
Just 20 minutes in, the Lions were cruising at 10-0, with the Sharks looking rattled and uncoordinated.
Sharks’ Discipline Falls Apart
The Sharks didn’t help their own cause.
As halftime approached, Phiko Sobahle was sent to the sin bin for a deliberate knockdown.
That moment proved costly.
With a penalty try awarded and the Sharks a man down, the Lions pounced.
Maxwane took full advantage of the extra space, sprinting in for his second try and stretching the lead to 24-0 by the break. The energy in Ellis Park was electric.
Davids Shines on Debut as Sharks Collapse
Just as the Sharks were hoping to regroup, disaster struck again.
As Sobahle prepared to return, teammate Jean Smith saw yellow, reducing them to 14 players once more.
Debutant Angelo Davids didn’t waste the opportunity.
He carved through the Sharks’ disorganized defence to score, making it a dream start in Lions colours.
The Sharks barely got out of their own half, overwhelmed by the Lions’ physical dominance and sharp execution.
Late Consolation Doesn’t Save the Visitors
Sobahle did manage to salvage some pride with a late try, but it was too little, too late.
The game had long slipped away from the visitors.
The Lions weren’t done either. Rynhardt Jonker stormed through the midfield for another try, and Layton Horn followed with one of his own to rub salt in the wound.
Revenge Complete – Next Stop: Western Province
This was a textbook display of power, control, and hunger for redemption.
The Lions looked every bit like title contenders as they dismantled the Sharks, showing no signs of slowing down.
With this emphatic win under their belt, the Lions now turn their focus to next Saturday’s showdown at home against Western Province — and they’ll be full of confidence heading into it.
