URC Wrap: Bulls the only SA side with a win in round 3

The Lions are still without a win in the United Rugby Championship after they narrowly lost 15-10 to Benetton at the Stadio Monigo in Treviso on Sunday.

The Italian side got an early converted try through Tonga international Malakai Fekitoa, which put the Lions on the back foot from the off, but they never panicked and competed well.

The Joburg side were able to win what turned into an arm-wrestle for control of the game but could not make their dominance count.

To get points on the board, Lions flyhalf Jordan Hendrikse kicked a penalty. That gave the Lions confidence, and they went in search of a try but fell short and could not get past the Benetton defence when 5m out. The home side held on to their 7-3 lead heading into the interval.

In the second stanza, the Lions changed their attacking variation, kicking long to put Benneton under pressure. To keep distance between themselves and the Lions, Benetton kicked in a penalty from Jacob Umaga to make the match a seven-pointer.

The Lions stuck to their process and finally got a breakthrough when prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye crossed the try line, with Sanele Nohamba getting the two points from the conversion to level the scores at 10-10.

Late try

The Lions were then hit with a knockout blow with 10 minutes left on the clock when Benetton winger Igancio Mendy got the ball with space in the wide channels, and he finished well to give his side five and the 15-10 win.

Meanwhile, the Bulls managed to get a big win against Zebre in Parma on Saturday, beating them 54-29. Utility back David Kriel scored a hat-trick of tries while there were braces for hooker Akker van der Merwe and winger Devon Williams, with Sergeal Petersen also dotting down.

Not making the quick start count

On Friday the Sharks took on Welsh outfit Ospreys in London. The Durban side started the game like a house on fire, getting the game’s first five points through flanker Phepsi Buthelezi within five minutes, but from there on they disappeared from the contest and would go on to lose 19-5.

There was also a loss for the Stormers, as they went down 20-9 to Franco Smith’s Glasgow Warriors. In the first half, the Warriors scored three tries while the Stormers’ points came via the boot of Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who converted three penalties.