Staff Reporter.
The Lions launched their 2025 Currie Cup campaign with an emphatic 46-5 win over the Sharks at Ellis Park on Saturday afternoon.
The Johannesburg men ran in seven tries, which included a penalty try, to start off their campaign with a bonus-point win.
Flanker Jarod Cairns and winger Rabz Maxwane scored tries to give the Lions a 10-0 lead, with the latter’s coming after a break by Blitzbok Angelo Davids and scrumhalf Nico Steyn’s cross kick.
Just before the break, Phiko Sobahle’s deliberate knock-down resulted in a yellow card for the Sharks winger and a penalty try to the Lions. Maxwane scored his second, and the Lions’ fourth, while playing against 14 men to make it 24-0 at the break.
No sooner was Sobahle set to return to the field early in the second half than Sharks flyhalf Jean Smith was yellow-carded, and Lions debutant Davids scored while he was off.
Sobahle finally got the Sharks on the board with 12 minutes remaining, but Rynhardt Jonker and Layton Horn then dotted down in quick succession to complete the rout.
The Lions host Western Province next Saturday, while the Sharks travel to Pretoria to take on the Vodacom Bulls.
Point-scorers:
Lions – Tries: Jarod Cairns, Rabz Maxwane (2), Penalty Try, Angelo Davids, Rynhardt Jonker, Layton Horn. Conversions: Lubabalo Dobela (2), Kade Wolhuter. Penalties: Dobela
Sharks – Tries: Phikolomzi Sobahle.