The Emirates Lions ran rampant in their match against the Sunwolves on July 1 to record the biggest win and margin in the Vodacom Super Rugby series new addition.
The team from Johannesburg beat the Japanese side 94-7, scoring 14 tries, conceding one and slotting 12 conversions in the Super Rugby action in front of their home crowd.
Photo: Gordon Arons
They won the African Conference 2 trophy for the second consecutive year and also raked in the highest log points of the African conferences. The Lions have 61 points to their credit and are second on the overall points table with the Crusaders at 63.
This coming weekend they will play in their last match of the play-off stages against Cell C Sharks in Durban.
Jaco Kriel captained the side, which hosted an array of Springboks in the team, while regular captain Warren Whiteley did not play due to a groin injury. Springbok wing Ruan Combrinck, who hails from Alberton, marked his return to Super Rugby, dotting down three times after returning from injury.
In the other matches played over the weekend the DHL Stormers, Southern Kings and Vodacom Bulls recorded wins.
Substitute loose-forward Sikhumbuzo Notshe scored the winning try to clinch a morale-boosting 40-34 win for the DHL Stormers over the Toyota Cheetahs in their entertaining derby played in Bloemfontein on Saturday afternoon.
The Southern Kings notched up their fifth win of the campaign following their 31-30 win over the Jaguares in an exciting encounter in Buenos Aires during the early hours of Saturday (SA time). Makazole Mapimpi scored twice while Luzuko Vulindlu and Wandile Mjekevu also dotted down. Flyhalf and skipper Lionel Cronje added 11 points with the boot.
In the first match of the weekend, fullback Warrick Gelant netted a hat-trick of tries as the Vodacom Bulls posted a convincing 30-17 victory over the Cell C Sharks in Durban on Friday evening. Gelant scored two first-half tries to help steer the visitors to a 17-10 lead at the break.
Photo: Gordon Arons
The Pretoria side, with Springbok centre Jan Serfontein instrumental in midfield, were full of ideas on attack while their forwards also played with gusto to secure their fourth win of the season.
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