This un-televised game kicks off at Ellis Park at 7pm.
We will do our best to bring you coverage from the ground.
Lions: 15. Coenie van Wyk, 14. Deon van Rensburg , 13. Stokkies Hanekom , 12. Alwyn Hollenbach (captain), 11. Chrysander Botha , 10. Wilie du Plessis, 9. Faf de Klerk, 8. Willie Britz, 7. Ruaan Lerm, 6. Warwick Tecklenburg, 5. Martin Muller, 4. Lourens Erasmus, 3. Bees Roux, 2. Willie Wepener, 1. Jacques van Rooyen
Substitutes: 16. Malcolm Marx, 17.Charles Marais, 18. Corne Fourie, 19. Stephan Vermeulen, 20. Hugo Kloppers, 21. MB Lusaseni, 22. Stephan de Witt, 23. Ross Cronje, 24. JW Jonker, 25. Ruan Combrinck, 26. Deon Helberg
Cell C Sharks: 15. SP Marais, 14. Odwa Ndungane, 13. Paul Jordaan, 12. Francois Steyn, 11. Lwazi Mvovo, 10. Patrick Lambie, 9. Cobus Reinach, 8. Tera Mtembu, 7. Jean Deysel, 6. Marcell Coetzee, 5. Pieter-Steph du Toit, 4. Anton Bresler, 3. Jannie du Plessis, 2. Bismarck du Plessis (captain), 1. Tendai Mtawarira.
Replacements: 16. Monde Hadebe, 17. Dale Chadwick, 18. Lourens Adriaanse, 19. Stephan Lewies, 20. Jacques Botes, 21. Ryan Kankowski, 22. Charl McLeod, 23. Fred Zeilinga, 24. Heimar Williams, 25. S’bura Sithole, 26. Jaco van Tonder.
Tweet
Lions 21. MB Lusaseni. Isn’t he an ex-U21 Shark? another one that got away…
@Greg (Comment 1) : correct
I was looking forward to go to watch the game until the Lions sent in a second team. Jake can use tonight to work out some quirks in the scrums and loose play.
Really wish this game was televised. What’s the use of paying almost R700 a month to dstv if you can’t watch rugby games
Lions 26
Valke 3
Halftime
Lions 33
Valke 3
2nd half
Lions team vs Valke
15. Kobus de Kock
14. Wynand Willis
13. Cournall Skosan
12. Jaco Roodt
11. Juan Swanepoel
10. Guy Cronje ©
9. Ricky Schoeder
8. Jano Venter
7. Thabo Mabuza
6. Lambert Groenewald
5. Jannie Stander
4. Ruan Venter
3. Pieter Scholtz
2. Malcolm Marx
1. Dylan Smith.
Reserwes: Pieter Bothma, Theuns Reynolds, Nico van Zyl, JP du Preez, Bobby de Wee, Koch Marx, Ruan van Rensburg, Caswell Khoza, Hanco Deale, Brandon Hewitt.
Lions 33 – Valke 10
12min left
Try Lions
Lions 40 – Valke 10
Another try
Lions 45 – Valke 10
Lions 50
Valke 17
Full Time
Lions Vodacom Cup team deph looks good. We must win the cup again this year, not only will it give our team a massive confidence boost, but also that R1million prize money our union desperatly needs will come in handy
@Mutley (Comment 12) : ja, you’re right.
Your Vodacom Cup side is muuuuuch stronger than ours. 🙄
@robdylan (Comment 13) : I never said the Lions Vodacom is stronger than the Sharks
@Mutley (Comment 14) : well, they’re going to have to be to win the Vodacom Cup.
Unless you give up on Super Rugby again and send your Super Rugby side to play the Vodacom Cup Final….
Hi Rob, is there anyone at the match to provide updates?
Made it! Weather is fine, stadium is very empty except for some guy screaming Proooovince! There’s one in every stadium…
Sharks just ran out
@Dancing Bear (Comment 16) : yes… look up
The Lions Vodacom Cup side have just emerged
Sharks will kick-off.
@robdylan (Comment 15) : Anything is possible. Maybe we can win 4 games this here. All jokes aside. The Lions don’t have the deph to consistantly compete at Super Rugby level with the likes of the Sharks, Brumbies, Crusaders, but what we do have is young players and journey men that are able to compete at Vodacom Cup level. Vodacom Cup will be a great oppertunity to get the young players confidence up and build on our deph
Have a good game Sharks. Tick all the right boxes.
First lineout. Sharks put-in. Odders scores in the opposite corner
0 – 5. Lambie pushes it left. 3 minutes in.
Ref is knocked off his feet
Sharks lead 5-0
@vanmartin (Comment 17) : Thanks!!!
Lwazi made a line-break after the line-out and the ball went through the entire backline before Odwa dotted down in the far corner for the easiest of tries.
Ref is being wheeled off
First scrum. Lions feed
Sharks concede a penalty. Not sure why
They looked solid and had a good first shove
@robdylan (Comment 19) : You keep giving me reasons to donate to Sharksworld 😉
I spend a lot more time reading than posting, but I appreciate the opportunity to stay so current with so much “inside” information. Nice job!
Penalty pushed to the right. 0 – 5. 6 minutes in
@Dancing Bear (Comment 33) : thanks buddy!
@vanmartin (Comment 31) : neither did the ref. 😉
Sharks win back ball on kick-off. A bit of back and forth kicking ensues with the Lions getting a line-out feed. They push the ball through the backline but pass directly out.
Sharks win line-out and setup rolling maul from halfway line and end up in Lions 22 befote a short-arm is conceded by Lions
Lambie sets up 5m lineout. Sharka lose line-out and charge down clearance kick. 5m scrum
Skew feed into scrum
Sharks attack from deep inside their own half and end up back on Lions 5m line
@vanmartin (Comment 39) : Sharks lose lineout? Ai nee!
Lions win short-arm at line-out and cleat the ball
Lineout on halfway. Sharks feed and win. Marcel is full of running. Sharks gain about 10
Sharks lineout again
Odders scores near post after a nest grubber from SP!
0 – 12
Sharks tackles causes Lions player to spill ball in Sharks 22
Scrum in Sharks 22. Sharks clear from solid scrum
Sharks lineout on Lions 10. Sharks take it left and then back right to dot down near poles. Looks like PSdT?
0 – 19
Can confirm its PSdT
@vanmartin (Comment 50) : yes, it was him
Lineouts?
Scrum in Sharks 22. Lions to feed. Pace is frantic! Reinach service is much improved!
Sharka bully the Lions scrum
Jannie steal the ball in loose!
@vanmartin (Comment 51) : Lyk soos ‘n pakslae
3 tries already
Scrum close to Sharks 22 where Jannie stole ball. Sharks feed
18 min left
Solid scrum but kick way to deep. Lions 15 clears witg interest
Sharks scrum after clever box kick from Cobus
Scrum solid. Loosies pick and go. Lions defend brqvely but concede penalty close to Lions 22
Sounds good now
Sharks backline scheming while Cobus receives some treatment from knock. Nothing serious. Probably took a knee to provide some rest
Sharks opt for scrum and win another 10m ouy
Another scrum that is
Pity the Sharks are not playing Lions’ strongest team
Sorry, that was a Lions scrum. Sharks apply pressure and Marcel tackles Lions 9 as he picks up ball. Lio s clear. Sharks line-out which they win. Sharks attack. Lambie throws skip-pass to Mvovo who picks it out of the air and dots down in corner
😀
Lambie pushes conversion wide. 0 – 24. 10 min left
Lions 0 -24 Sharks
Beaut of a linebream from Steyn inside our 22 and then from Mvovo before Lions steal ball in their 22 but kick out directly
Lions steal lineout but lose ball forward in their first decent attacking movement
Sharks scrum on Lions 22. Lambie takes a poor pass from Cobus and passes it onto Steyn feet who nearly collects it but spills it
Scrum Lions just outside their 22.
Eish. What is wrong in the lineouts??
Hollenbach cut in half by Lambie. Lions manage to keep it but a chip is kicked into Jannie’s hands. Sharks push from halfway. Lions conced penalty and Lambie find the cirner
Sharks win lineout and win another penalty
Sharks lineout again. Rolling maul and then attacking movement to opposite end of field. SP nearly finds a gap. Sharks move ball back in and Lions concede a short-arm just inside their 22
Sharks take the ball up again. Lions force SP out. lions lineout
@vanmartin (Comment 82) : sounds like lots of infringements in the red zone from the Lions?
Clearance kick not out. Mvovo runs it back at them.
Sharks win yet another penalty inside Lions 22 and go for lineout again
Lineout secured. Sharks attack. Lions concede penalty. Sharks scrum inside Lions 22. Sound familiar?
0 – 31. Try Steyn
Scrum is solid. Hooter sounds and Frans hits a gap, palms off cover-defender and trots in for try!!
@vanmartin (Comment 87) : And still no yellow? Ref feeling sorry for Lions?
Thanks for these updates vanmartin! Legend!
Lambie puta one over!
0 – 31 HT
Okay folks. Half time. Any questions?
@vanmartin (Comment 92) : yes! Give us a blow-by-blow of how every individual player has done 🙂
@vanmartin (Comment 91) : Thanks for the updates. Sounds like a slaugher
Thanks VANMARTIN you’re a hero here for us far far away…
How is the ouens looking? Good or still early season look to them?
❗
I have just one question…. do we still have the same 15 on the field that started?
@gregkaos (Comment 90) : A yellow would make it even more of a one-sided affair to be honest. Sharks pretty much bossing everything except for one lineout.
@robdylan (Comment 93) : Overall 8 / 10 with set-pieces, attack and finishing looking promising
@vanmartin (Comment 98) : Too true. Maybe they can bring on a 16th player to help them out?
So who’s been most impressive this half?
WELL DONE SHARKS, ANOTHER HALF LIKE THAT
Thanks a million Vanmartin
@R Hayward (Comment 95) : Looking much sharper than against Sarries. Our backline is a sight to behold this evening. Forwards doing a lot of grunt work and make few appearances in backline.
Holy crap. Wasn’t paying attention to the time. I thought it was the full time score! 😯
Go boytjies!! 😀
got to remember we’re playing the Lions B team
@robdylan (Comment 97) : No replacements yet. I’ll probably refer to players by number at that point. Tough to keep up atm.
@vanmartin (Comment 103) : Does sound like Lambie & Steyn are having fun out there.
@gregkaos (Comment 100) : Jannie, Marcel, Lambie (bar kicking at poles), SP and Odders. Deysel, Mvovo and Bismarck becoming more prominent as game progresses
@vanmartin (Comment 103) : Cool man COOL!!! Yes i know this is a “B” team, but as long a our finishing is clinical then all should be ok for next week.
@vanmartin (Comment 108) : auntie sheryle has her work cut out for her with Pat.
@robdylan (Comment 105) : Definitely and they’re panicking at times.
Sharks back on! Looks like Botes is on as well as Cooper
🙂
Lots of replacementa for Sharks. Don’t recognise all the faces!!
@vanmartin (Comment 112) : can’t be Cooper. He’s in Mauritius
@robdylan (Comment 105) : You know how we normally play in these games… 🙄
The Hoff concedes a penalty after kick-off after grabbing Lions player around the neck 🙁
Lions scrum in Sharks 22. Lions win a penalty off scrum
Lions injury. Whole Sharks side looks to be replaced
Only see Odders from first half
@robdylan (Comment 115) : 😉
Think its safe to say Jake has seen enough of his 1st team 🙂
Keep it up Boys! Yes Aunty Sherryll sure has a lot to do. We need Lambie to at least be a 95% kicker. He’s a brilliant player though
@[email protected] (Comment 123) : 80 will be fine
Bresler, Tera and SP also still on
Lions scrum on Sharks 5
Sharks wheel it and win the penalty
Sharks take ensuing lineout and worm ball up to Lions 22
Balls worked across field. Sithole bulldozes three defenders and dots down
0 – 38 34 mins lef
Sharks running everything now
Great work vanmartin!
@vanmartin (Comment 29) : Who was the ref, VD Merwe??
Sharks finally forced to defend and conced penalty inside Lions 40
Oh and thanks Van for doing updates 😎
Sharks pressure Lions lineout. Lions knock balls. Shakrs scrum in their own 22
Sharks win another lineout. Sithole hitting gaps at will. Sharks grubber beautifully, collect and are tackled out on Lions 10
@vanmartin (Comment 137) : is he catching the ball?
Sharka steql lineout but Lions win ball back and do nothing with it. Sharks lineout on Lions 22
Sharks secure. Pick and go. Strong carry from Hoff. Lions concede penalty. Sharks lineout on 5. Over-throw. Lions win ball and push up to Sharks 40
Sharks steal Lions lineout. Up and under, secured by Odders. Do well to keep it in play. Sithole causing headaches yet again
Lions concede penalty after Sithole is tackled. Sharks support play fantastic at rucks! Sharks win lineout. Rolling maul. Try close to posts. Too easy!
No idea who scored. Stadium and announcer have gone quiet.
0 – 45
Wow!
Fred and Charl combining well! Hoff full of running
Lions attack outside Sharks 22. Sharks tackling like demons. Lions spill it
Sharks scrum
@vanmartin (Comment 146) : Thanks for the updates mate! 😎
😛
Exciting!
Sharks secure ball and try to clear but not out. Lions run it back and Sharks concede penalty at first breakdown
Lions outside of Sharks 22 win another penalty and go for corner
Lions secure their throw-in and trt rolling maul. Sharks colaapse it and Lions go for corner again. Lions secure throw in again and finally manage to srive it over close to corner. Crowd roars like a circumcised Lion
7 – 45
16 minutes left
And then Sharks answer by scoring off their own kick-off while I type!
Lions missed the catch
7 – 50
@vanmartin (Comment 157) : Who scored that one?
Sharks steal Lion ball. Sithole grubbers it into their half but can’t collect. Sharks win it back eventually. Attack from half-way
Lions defence has improved and they eventually force a penalty on the halfway line. They kick to corner
@gregkaos (Comment 160) : van Tonder
It’s directly out behind tryline and Sharks get a scrum on halfway line as result
@vanmartin (Comment 164) : muppets
Sharks scrum. Halfway line
Whew!
As far as I can make out Sithole is playing 13 outside of Heimar with Jaco on the wing
Odders on other wing with SP at back
A lot of stop-start play now. Lions scrum on Sharks 40
Lions attack and Sharks concede penalty at breakdown. Lions take it quick and mess it up immediatly. Sharks scrum on their own 22
@vanmartin (Comment 168) : aaah. thought he might try that.
McLeod snipes the blind-side and then clear
Sharks steal linout on Lions 40 and attack making about 10 before spilling. Lions scrum
Time left?
Lions make a break, offload and Willie scores under posts
14 – 50
1 min left
Sharks almost score under posts. Looks like Heimar who made huge ground. Sithole dots down in corner! Time is up!
Beaut of a coversion from Fred. 14 – 57 FT
final score Lions 14 – 57 Sharks
Sharks pushing until the dying seconds! Very impressed.
Thanks!!! for keepin us updated!
Thanks for the up-dates Vanmartin. How did Jordaan play?
I’ll do a write-up of the match once I get home folks. Can’t really single out any individual player who played poorly. I’m driving home. We’ll chat soon!
Superb reporting @vanmartin (Comment 185) : thank you very much.
@vanmartin (Comment 185) : Thank you for the updates
Congratz to the Sharks
Well done Sharks – thanks for the updates.
Not sure whether JA could learn anything from this game. Apart from giving the second and third string Lions players a run against a strong SR side I wonder if it was really worth it
@Dancing Bear (Comment 186) : @Mutley (Comment 187) : No problem. Really enjoyed it. Forced me to watch a live match in a completely new way
@GreatSharksays (Comment 184) : Jordaan didn’t get many opportunities but made a decent break and helped with SP’s grubber. He also ensured Odwa got quick ball for his first try. There’s still rust but he’s improving.
@Baylion (Comment 190) : My sentiments too. Hope it didn’t give their confidence too bad a dent.
@vanmartin (Comment 191) : Thanks for the updates!
@vanmartin (Comment 191) : Sbura Sithole do well around the park apart from the 3 tries
@vanmartin (Comment 185) : how did they play, focussed and purposeful like they mean business or were the Lions just beyond poor?
@Ludz (Comment 193) : Sithole scored twice and was my man of the second half. He spilled once that I recall but was a joy to behold at 13. If he can keep playing like that against tougher opposition we have a NZ style 13 in our hands. Defense is another consideration of course but he played with a determination I haven’t seen before.
@pierre_mackie (Comment 194) : I mention this in my match report. The Lions were poor (I’ve seen poorer though) but Sharks teams of old would not have capitalised in the way this team did and kept the momentum after 11 players were subbed in the second half.