Mapoe double gets Lions off to a flyer
SET-PIECE dominance laid the foundation for the Lions’ seasonopening win over the Sharks at Ellis Park.
Beaten finalists for the last two seasons, the Lions responded in good fashion following the summer departure of long-serving coach Johan Ackermann to Gloucester with a vibrant home performance.
The Sharks made an emphatic start with new recruit Rob du Preez darting past Elton Jantjies to dot down under the posts in the eighth minute.
But the Lions began to assert their authority at scrum time, and it was from a penalty won at the set piece that possession was recycled for Lionel Mapoe to go over for their opening try.
Winger Aphiwe Dyantyi then finished off a superb solo try to help send his side into a 14-7 lead.
Sharks lost influential No.8 Dan du Preez with a shoulder injury but they pounced on possession after the restart, with a lovely pass from Cameron Wright and a powerful tryscoring finish from S’bu Nkosi to cut the deficit to two points.
Sharks then achieved some scrum redemption as Springbok Beast Mtawarira won a penalty just after coming on as a replacement, but Du Preez missed the regulation goal kick.
It appeared to be a costly miss as just moments later a beautiful break from Andries Coetzee set up a second try for Mapoe.
Sharks hit back through Makazole Mapimpi but the Lions restored a sevenpoint lead when Kwagga Smith powered over the line on the hour mark.
Elton Jantjies missed two penalty kicks to keep Sharks in the hunt but a superb turnover from Hacjivah Dayimani ensured victory for the Lions.
Star man Lionel Mapoe - Lions