Tapi and Mapura scored hat-tricks, debutant Sam Francis scored 30 points and the Lions cruised to a resounding win over the Pumas in the Currie Cup in Nelspruit on Friday night.
Flyhalf Francis followed up last week’s opening win over the Sharks in Durban with eight conversions, three penalties and a try in 12 minutes as the Lions cruised to a crushing 75-21 win at Mbombela Stadium.
Tries from pacey Mafura and Lavz McSwain and a Man of the Match goal from Francis put the visitors up 35-7 at half-time, before a touchdown from 10th man Clinton Swart rewarded the home side for their first-half effort.
The Pumas went ahead after the restart when scrum-half Ross Broad sprinted through a whitewash, before Swart added another, but half-backs Nico Stein and McSwain sparked a Lions fightback as the game entered the final 20 minutes.
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Newcomers Sibabalo Qoma, Gianni Lombard, Morne van den Berg and Mafura scored touchdowns before the final whistle to complete the convincing result for The Pride. Pumas substitute Dewald Maritz came on at the death but it was too little, too late for Jimmy Stonehouse’s men.
Friday’s game in Kimberley saw Griquas hit back in the second half to beat a Springbok-laden Sharks XV in a thrilling 10-try performance at Griqua Park.
Playmaker Rubavalo Dobella had nine points as the home side overcame a 17-point deficit at the break to win 34-31. It was the first win for Peter Berg’s side since losing to the Pumas last week.
Ahead of Round 3, the Pumas host the Sharks in seven days time at 3pm, before the Lions and Griquas host each other at Ellis Park at 7pm.
Photo: Dirk Kotze/Gallo Images
