The Lions made a significant statement on Saturday in claiming a resounding win over the Stormers that saw them move 11 points clear at the summit of the South African conference standings.

Madosh Tambwe was the natural Man of the Match as the wing scored four tries – which included a quickfire hat-trick – but Elton Jantjies deserves plenty of plaudits for the manner in which he superbly marshalled proceedings from the flyhalf channel.

Among the forwards, Kwagga Smith impressed as he scored a superb try, made 41m and beat four defenders, while completing a whopping 22 tackles and winning two turnovers. Malcolm Marx was also typically impressive with his pilfering ability at the breakdown.

Although the Sharks suffered an agonising 38-37 loss to the Hurricanes, there were a number of top performers in a gutsy performance.

André Esterhuizen (76m made and five defenders beaten) and Jean-Luc du Preez (15 tackles made) again caught the eye, while Curwin Bosch impressed at fullback as he completed 83m and beat five defenders.

Lukhanyo Am secured an important brace of tries, while also racking up 13 tackles in another industrious effort from outside centre.

In a losing cause for the Stormers, Pieter-Steph du Toit was the one real standout performer, and while he did play at blindside flank, he earns deserved selection here in his preferred position at No 5. Big prop Wilco Louw also made a number of immense contributions across the park, which included a try, eight tackles and one turnover.

REVIEW: Rejuvenated Lions rise

SA TEAM OF THE WEEK (ROUND 8)

15. Curwin Bosch (Sharks)
14. S’bu Nkosi (Sharks)
13. Lukhanyo Am (Sharks)
12. André Esterhuizen (Sharks)
11. Madosh Tambwe (Lions)
10. Elton Jantjies (Lions)
9. Louis Schreuder (Sharks)
8. Tera Mtembu (Sharks)
7. Jean-Luc du Preez (Sharks)
6. Kwagga Smith (Lions)
5. Pieter-Steph du Toit (Stormers)
4. Ruan Botha (Sharks)
3. Wilco Louw (Stormers)
2. Malcolm Marx (Lions)
1. Beast Mtawarira (Sharks)

SA Team of the Week (Round 7)

Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix