MONDAY, 1.00PM:
GAUTENG Lions walked over Natal Sharks to a 42-8 win in their Super 12 match on Saturday at Ellis Park in Johannesburg. Lions’ recent games have been beset by injuries, but the young team that faced the Sharks proved their worth, leaving their side fifth on the log.
The half-time lead was 16-3, but Gauteng soon put in four more tries, putting an end to any hopes of victory for a listless Natal, who ended the game with only one try, by Cabous van der Westhuisen and a penalty by Gavin Lawless. Lions had two tries by Dawie du Toit, and one each by Jopie Adlam, Joe Gillingham and Jannie van der Walt, while Edrich Lubbe made four conversions and three penalties.
Sharks will face league leaders Auckland in the Super 12 semi-final in New Zealand this weekend. Coach Ian McIntosh said after the loss to the Lions: “Auckland are a helluva side and they’re going to be bloody hard to beat.”