The Lions broke their winless run in the Vodacom URC with a victory over the Scarlets at Ellis Park on Saturday.
Replacement prop Morne Brandon powered over twice to help the Pride triumph 29-18 after three consecutive losses on tour.
The opening half was a stop-start affair as both sides struggled to find rhythm in the thin Johannesburg air.
The visitors struck first through a Sam Costelow penalty, but the Lions’ set-piece dominance gradually told.
Despite several handling errors and turnovers, the hosts eventually broke through when Springbok fullback Quan Horn darted over out wide, giving Ivan van Rooyen’s side a slender 5-3 lead at half time.
JC Pretorius busts his way through
Quan Horn finishes off the first Lions try at Ellis Park in 2025/26
Stream #VURC on DStv: https://t.co/0P0NNhnwKw pic.twitter.com/HPykEY7P7H
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) October 18, 2025
The Lions upped the intensity after the break. Big carries from the forwards and sharp breakdown work from replacement flanker Jarod Cairns earned a penalty in front of the posts, which flyhalf Chris Smith converted to extend the advantage.
Smith soon departed for a head injury assessment, replaced by Gianni Lombard, but the momentum stayed with the home side.
Costelow reduced the deficit to 8-6 after Francke Horn was penalised at the ruck, only for Lombard to respond with a well-struck penalty.
The Lions’ maul then powered forward relentlessly, with hooker Franco Marais crashing over to make it 16-6.
Something off the training ground from the Lions
#SSRugby | #VURC pic.twitter.com/g0g81fCZ3b
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) October 18, 2025
The Scarlets clawed their way back when lock Darrien Landsberg was yellow-carded for collapsing a maul, resulting in a penalty try and narrowing the gap to 16-13.
But the Lions finished strongest. Brandon combined with scrumhalf Nico Steyn for a superb try to re-establish control before adding a second minutes later, taking the score to 26-13.
FRANS: I’m letting the Cheetahs team and fans down
A late Scarlets try from Joe Roberts trimmed the margin, but it was too little, too late as Smith kicked a penalty after the buzzer.
The Lions next host Ulster, while the Scarlets head to Kings Park to take on the Sharks.
LIONS – Tries: Quan Horn, Franco Marais, Morne Brandon (2). Penalty goals: Chris Smith (2), Gianni Lombard.
SCARLETS – Tries: Penalty try, Joe Roberts. Penalty goals: Sam Costelow (2).
Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images
The post Lions pounce for first win appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
The Lions broke their winless run in the Vodacom URC with a victory over the Scarlets at Ellis Park on Saturday.
The post Lions pounce for first win appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
