Emmanuel Tshituka scored a brace from the bench because the Lions boosted their playoff hopes with a bonus-point victory over Cardiff in Johannesburg on Saturday.
Two tries from Tshituka within the last 10 minutes gave the Lions a much-needed 34-13 victory at Ellis Park, after Cardiff threatened a second-half comeback.
The bonus-point win sees the Lions shut the hole on eighth-placed Benetton to 4 factors, after the Italian facet produced a serious upset by beating the Sharks in Durban.
Taking a 17-3 lead into half time, the Lions had been in charge of the match within the first half, repelling every part Cardiff threw at them, whereas scoring a few opportunistic tries.
JC Pretorius was significantly spectacular, successful a number of turnovers and turnover penalties, whereas additionally making some sturdy carries in a person of the match efficiency for the Lions.
Fast pondering ⚡️
Emirates @LionsRugbyCo flip a defensive scenario into 7 factors with this attempt 👀@Vodacom #URC | #LIOvCAR pic.twitter.com/n4sUAPWLDX
— Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial_RSA) Could 11, 2024
Sanele Nohamba slotted a 45-metre kick early within the second half to take the house to a 17-point lead, however Cardiff mounted a comeback, as a attempt from loosehead prop Corey Domachowski to go together with a penalty from Tinus de Beer reduce the deficit to a transformed attempt.
The Lions referred to as on Tshituka from the bench and the unfastened ahead made an enormous affect, scoring his first attempt off the again of a strong driving maul, earlier than nearly establishing one other with an unbelievable run from his personal 22.
Tshituka would get the decisive fourth attempt as he ran a wonderful line onto Erich Cronje’s move, after a wonderful sort out from Jordan Hendrikse induced Cardiff to lose the ball from a quick-tap penalty.
The Lions will host league leaders Glasgow Warriors subsequent Saturday.
Picture: Gordon Arons/Gallo Pictures
