In a riveting showdown at Ellis Park, the Lions roared to a dominant 33-21 victory over Connacht, marking their sixth straight triumph in the Vodacom URC. The star of the match, Henco van Wyk, dazzled with a double try, propelling coach Ivan van Rooyen's squad into the third spot on the leaderboard, while Leinster, hot on their heels, has yet to play.
The game kicked off with both teams locked in a tight contest until Angelo Davids broke the deadlock, diving over in the corner following a sweeping pass from Chris Smith, who nailed the conversion from the touchline. The momentum stayed with the Lions as Van Wyk sliced through Connacht's defence to add another try.
"Henco van Wyk does it all on his own ????"
Despite Connacht's attempts to build pressure, the Lions' defence was impenetrable, thwarting any advances and turning over the ball to keep their opponents at bay. The first half ended with Richard Kriel making a break, setting up Siba Mahashe for a try that extended their lead to 21-0, courtesy of another Smith conversion.
The Lions burst out of the gates in the second half, with Francke Horn breaking through and assisting Erich Cronje for the bonus-point try.
"Francke Horn puts it on a plate for Erich Cronje ?????"
Connacht saw a glimmer of hope when Lions' prop SJ Kotze received a yellow card, allowing Matthew Devine to score a try, converted by Sam Gilbert. Nevertheless, the Lions quickly regrouped and Van Wyk, with an assist from Quan Horn, crossed the line for his second try of the match. Although Connacht's Shayne Bolton thought he had scored, his try was disallowed after a TMO review. Devine managed to sneak in another try, and right after the final hooter, Paul Boyle added another, but it was too little, too late.
Looking forward, the Lions are set to face a stern test against Leinster in Dublin, while Connacht will attempt to regain their form back home against Munster.
LIONS: Tries by Angelo Davids, Henco van Wyk (2), Siba Mahashe, Erich Cronje. Conversions by Chris Smith (4).
CONNACHT: Tries by Matthew Devine (2), Paul Boyle. Conversions by Sam Gilbert (3).
2,100 posts
In a riveting showdown at Ellis Park, the Lions roared to a dominant 33-21 victory over Connacht, marking their sixth straight triumph in the Vodacom URC. The star of the match, Henco van Wyk, dazzled with a double try, propelling coach Ivan van Rooyen's squad into the third spot on the leaderboard, while Leinster, hot on their heels, has yet to play.
The game kicked off with both teams locked in a tight contest until Angelo Davids broke the deadlock, diving over in the corner following a sweeping pass from Chris Smith, who nailed the conversion from the touchline. The momentum stayed with the Lions as Van Wyk sliced through Connacht's defence to add another try.
"Henco van Wyk does it all on his own ????"
Despite Connacht's attempts to build pressure, the Lions' defence was impenetrable, thwarting any advances and turning over the ball to keep their opponents at bay. The first half ended with Richard Kriel making a break, setting up Siba Mahashe for a try that extended their lead to 21-0, courtesy of another Smith conversion.
The Lions burst out of the gates in the second half, with Francke Horn breaking through and assisting Erich Cronje for the bonus-point try.
"Francke Horn puts it on a plate for Erich Cronje ?????"
Connacht saw a glimmer of hope when Lions' prop SJ Kotze received a yellow card, allowing Matthew Devine to score a try, converted by Sam Gilbert. Nevertheless, the Lions quickly regrouped and Van Wyk, with an assist from Quan Horn, crossed the line for his second try of the match. Although Connacht's Shayne Bolton thought he had scored, his try was disallowed after a TMO review. Devine managed to sneak in another try, and right after the final hooter, Paul Boyle added another, but it was too little, too late.
Looking forward, the Lions are set to face a stern test against Leinster in Dublin, while Connacht will attempt to regain their form back home against Munster.
LIONS: Tries by Angelo Davids, Henco van Wyk (2), Siba Mahashe, Erich Cronje. Conversions by Chris Smith (4).
CONNACHT: Tries by Matthew Devine (2), Paul Boyle. Conversions by Sam Gilbert (3).