Coach Swys de Bruin credited his young players after the Lions’ 26-19 win against the Sharks at Ellis Park on Saturday.

Twenty-three-year-old wing Aphiwe Dyantyi made his Super Rugby debut, having starred for UJ in the Varsity Cup, while 20-year-old flank Hacjiva Dayimani came off the bench.

Dyantyi produced a Man of the Match performance, which included a superb solo try. Dayimani won a last-minute penalty on his tryline to ensure a win for the home side.

De Bruin singled out both players after the game, and reiterated that he was very impressed with their efforts.

‘The forwards laid the platform. The last bit, when Hacjiva came on and stole that ball, for him as a youngster, he doesn’t realise how huge that was. If you can win those marginal calls, then we will be happy.

‘I am very impressed. Aphiwe is a guy who needs to be watched. He is unreal. It is the same with the rest of the youngsters, they look good.’

WATCH: Highlights of Lions vs Sharks

Lock Marvin Orie was a late inclusion in the starting XV after Andries Ferreira withdrew due to injury. De Bruin said squad rotation made those changes easier.

‘We always back the guy who is going to come in. It is a disruption but there is never any panic. If you run a squad rotation system, then it makes it easier for each guy to slot in and do their job.’

Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images