The Lions claimed a decisive bonus-point win over the Stormers in round eight of Super Rugby, while the Sharks let a golden opportunity slip against the Hurricanes, writes CRAIG LEWIS.
After the regulation 80 minutes in the clash between the Sharks and Hurricanes on Friday, it looked as if the Lions’ lead at the top of the South African conference was set to be cut to just three points.
At that stage, the Sharks led 37-31 against the Canes and looked set to record their second successive win in New Zealand after downing the Blues the week before.
However, in a dramatic finish in Napier, the Canes manufactured an 85th-minute try to snatch victory from the Sharks and leave them having to settle for just a losing bonus point instead.
WATCH: Hurricanes vs Sharks highlights
Although it was a devastating end result for the Sharks, they should still be buoyed by the nature of their performances in New Zealand, and they can now look forward to a home game against the Bulls, who are coming off a bye.
With the Sharks letting one slip against the Canes, the Stormers then had their opportunity to entrench their position in second place in the South African conference, while also preventing the Lions from running into a commanding lead.
Instead, the Stormers were simply blown off the park in Johannesburg as the Lions produced a sparkling performance that saw them leading 45-10 at one point, before it eventually ended 52-31.
WATCH: Lions vs Stormers highlights
Nevertheless, it was a timely reminder from the Lions that they are still the leading team in South Africa, with the bonus-point win, in fact, taking them back to the top of the overall standings.
They are just one point ahead of defending champions, the Crusaders, who moved back to the top of the New Zealand conference with an emphatic 44-14 victory against the Jaguares on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the Australian conference remains wide open after the Waratahs cashed in on a big win over the Sunwolves, which leaves one point behind the leading Rebels, who had a bye.
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