The Lions ended a three-year Currie Cup losing run against the Sharks when they clashed in Johannesburg on Saturday 19 December 2020.
Top four clash
The Lions got on the board early as the Sharks were over-eager at the breakdown and Elton Jantjies popped over a penalty.
In the 14th minute, the Lions crossed the whitewash after a period of sustained pressure. Courtnall Skosan dived over in the corner, and the TMO confirmed the winger had scored a fair try.
Two monster penalty goals from Curwin Bosch put the Sharks back in the game, but the Lions led 8-6 with 15 minutes remaining in the first half.
Indiscretions from the Sharks gave the home side back the initiative, and Tiaan Swanepoel converted a penalty goal in the 27th minute to make it Lions 11-6 Sharks.
Jantjies resumed kicking duties with a shot from straight in front after another silly mistake from the Sharks.
The Lions led 14-6 at the break.
Half-time
The Sharks scored early in the second half after a silly quick free-kick from the Lions afforded them the penalty opportunity, but they struggled to make their territorial advantage pay.
The Sharks found themselves pegged back and mistakes in their own half allowed Swanepoel to move the Lions out to a 17-9 lead.
After Jantjies made it 20-9 the Sharks opted to take a shot at goal with ten minutes remaining that left them eight points adrift.
A late try from the Lions killed off the game with Swanepoel crossing for the score after stellar work from Simelane in the build-up.
Lions vs Sharks: Relive Currie Cup action here
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Currie Cup team news
Lions – 15 Tiaan Swanepoel, 14 Stean Pienaar, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Dan Kriel, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Elton Jantjies (captain), 9 André Warner, 8 Len Massyn, 7 Vincent Tshituka/Wilhelm van der Sluys, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Willem Alberts, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Jaco Visagie, 1 Sti Sithole/Dylan Smith. Replacements: 16 Jan-Henning Campher, 17 Ruan Dreyer, 18 Wiehahn Herbst, 19 Reinhard Nothnagel, 20 Roelof Smit, 21 Morné van den Berg, 22 Burger Odendaal, 23 Jamba Ulengo.
Sharks – 15 Manie Libbok, 14 Sbu Nkosi, 13 Lukhanyo Am (captain), 12 Marius Louw, 11 Yaw Penxe, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Sanele Nohamba, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Henco Venter, 6 Dylan Richardson, 5 Aston Fortuin, 4 JJ van der Mescht, 3 Michael Kumbirai, 2 Kerron van Vuuren, 1 Ox Nche. Replacements: 16 Fez Mbatha, 17 Mzamo Majola, 18 John-Hubert Meyer, 19 Thembelani Bholi, 20 James Venter, 21 Phepsi Buthelezi, 22 Jaden Hendrikse, 23 Jeremy Ward.
Match information – Lions vs Sharks
Date: Saturday, 19 December 2020
Time: 19:00
Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Referee: Jaco Peyper
Assistant Referees: Cwengile Jadezweni and Aimee Barrett-Theron
TMO: Stuart Berry
TV: SuperSport Grandstand and Rugby
