The Lions held on to disclaim a younger Sharks XV of their 2024 Currie Cup opener in Durban on Friday night time.
Second-half tries from unfastened ahead Jarod Cairns and alternative hooker Morne Brandon helped the Lions come from a half-time deficit to say a 26-25 win at Kings Park.
A scrappy first half noticed the Sharks go into the break 10-8 forward, due to unconverted tries from wing Jaco Williams and lock Le Roux Roets.
Nevertheless, the Lions fought again within the second half and have been 26-20 up going into the ultimate 10 minutes. The Sharks piled the stress on and thought they’d scored the successful strive when captain Nick Hatton broke the Lions defence within the final minute, however veteran flyhalf Lionel Cronje missed his conversion.
Earlier within the day, 2022 champions the Pumas kickstarted the Currie Cup with an exciting 44-24 victory over Griquas in Kimberley.
The Airlink Pumas make a successful begin to the 2024 #CarlingCurrieCup✅🏉 pic.twitter.com/erznraH05h
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) July 5, 2024
Photograph: Steve Haag/Gallo Photographs
