Tapiwa Mafura notched a hat-trick of tries while debutant Sam Francis scored 30 points as the Lions thrashed the Pumas in the Currie Cup in Nelspruit on Friday night.
Flyhalf Francis kicked eight conversions and three penalties to go with a 12th-minute try in an overwhelming 75-21 victory for the Lions at Mbombela Stadium, following an opening round win over the Sharks in Durban last week.
Tries from speedsters Mafura and Rabz Maxwane and the boot of Man of the Match Francis powered the visitors to a 35-7 half-time lead, with a converted touchdown from No 10 Clinton Swart all the hosts had to show for their efforts at the break.
The Pumas struck first after the restart when scrumhalf Ross Braude crossed the whitewash, and Swart added the extras, but halfback Nico Steyn and Maxwane hit back for the Lions as the match entered the final 20 minutes.
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New recruit Sibabalo Qoma, Gianni Lombard, Morne van den Berg and Mafura touched down before the final whistle to complete an emphatic result for The Pride. Pumas replacement Dewald Maritz barged over at the death but it was too little, too late for Jimmy Stonehouse’s men.
Earlier on Friday in Kimberley, a second-half fightback from Griquas stunned a Springbok-packed Sharks XV outfit in a 10-try thriller at Griqua Park.
Playmaker Lubabalo Dobela kicked nine points as the home side overturned a 17-point deficit at the break to triumph 34-31. It was a first victory for Pieter Bergh’s charges following last week’s loss to the Pumas.
Looking ahead to round 3, the Pumas will host the Sharks in seven days’ time at 3pm, before the Lions and Griquas are set to lock horns from 7pm at Ellis Park.
Photo: Dirk Kotze/Gallo Images
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Tapiwa Mafura notched a hat-trick of tries while debutant Sam Francis scored 30 points as the Lions thrashed the Pumas in the Currie Cup in Nelspruit on Friday night.
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