The Emirates Lions stormed into the EPCR Challenge Cup playoffs with a dominant 60-10 victory over the Dragons at Ellis Park on Saturday.
Nine-Try Feast
From the opening whistle, the Lions took control, with captain Francke Horn and flanker Ruan Venter leading the charge. Each scored a brace of tries as the home team ran in nine tries overall. Flyhalf Sam Francis added 11 points with his boot in a near-flawless performance.
Tapiwa Mafura, Jaco Visagie, Manuel Rass, and Gianni Lombard also crossed the whitewash, with Lombard converting two tries late in the match. The Lions’ relentless attack overwhelmed the Dragons, whose only bright spots came from a second-half try by prop Paula Latu and five points from flyhalf Will Reed’s boot.
Playoff Qualification Secured
The comprehensive victory ensures the Lions’ spot in the Challenge Cup round of 16, scheduled for the weekend of 4 April. This marks another milestone in their European campaign, showcasing their growing strength on the international stage.
Next Challenges
The Lions now turn their attention to the Vodacom United Rugby Championship, where they’ll host the Vodacom Bulls at Ellis Park. Meanwhile, the Dragons return to Wales to face Munster at Rodney Parade.
With momentum on their side, the Lions will look to carry their blistering form into their upcoming fixtures.