The Emirates Lions moved to the top of the Vodacom Super Rugby Africa Conference 2 thanks to a deserved 24-9 victory over the Cell C Sharks in Durban on Saturday, April 9. The Highveld team scored two tries and flexed its defensive muscle to keep the home team try-less.
In another Saturday night clash, the Vodacom Bulls outscored the gallant Southern Kings by six tries to none as the men from Pretoria registered a 38-6 win over the Port Elizabeth side, despite playing with 13 men at one stage.
The DHL Stormers, with Springbok centre Damian de Allende back in action after a lengthy injury, consolidated their place on top of the first Africa conference thanks to a 46-19 romp over the Sunwolves in Cape Town on Friday, April 8.
The Cape side is leading the points tally among the South African teams and has collected 23 points so far from six matches. It is followed by the Vodacom Bulls on 19 points, the Emirates Lions (18) and the Cell C Sharks (16).
The Durban side leaves on Sunday for a three-match tour of New Zealand. The Toyota Cheetahs, who had a rest weekend, and the Kings have scored one match apiece.
Elsewhere, the Crusaders scraped through 20-19 against the Force in Perth, while the Chiefs kept their momentum by beating the Blues 29-23 in Hamilton. Both games were played on Friday.
The Hurricanes were too strong for the Jaguares and beat the Argentine visitors 40-22 in Wellington, while the Reds scored their first win of the season when they edged the Highlanders 28-27 in Brisbane in the other Saturday clash. Cell C Sharks (6) 9, Emirates Lions (18) 24.
The Emirates Lions kept the Cell C Sharks try-less in their 24-9 derby win on Saturday at the Growthpoint Kings Park Stadium in Durban. The result means that the Johannesburg-based franchise moved past the Durban side to now sit at the top of the second African conference.
Flyhalf Elton Jantjies was instrumental in the victory and he scored 14 points for the Highvelders with a conversion and four penalties. They outscored the home side two tries to none with Andries Ferreira and Lionel Mapoe dotting down.
The visitors scored their two tries before halftime, while the Cell C Sharks could only manage two successful penalties by flyhalf Joe Pietersen during that time.
The Cell C Sharks, who left for New Zealand on Sunday, also suffered a major setback when influential Springbok flanker Marcell Coetzee left the field with a knee injury before halftime.
Scorers:
Cell C Sharks (6) 9 – Penalties: Joe Pietersen (3).
Emirates Lions (18) 24 – Tries: Andries Ferreira, Lionel Mapoe. Conversion: Elton Jantjies. Penalties: Jantjies (4).
