Replacement flyhalf Gianni Lombard kicked a last-minute penalty to hand the Emirates Lions a thrilling 36-33 comeback win over the Rebels in their Vodacom Super Rugby clash in Johannesburg on Saturday afternoon, while the DHL Stormers powered their way to an impressive 35-8 win over the Jaguares on Friday evening in Cape Town.

Emirates Lions claw their way back for thrilling win over Rebels

The Rebels have never beaten the Emirates Lions in Vodacom Super Rugby and on Saturday afternoon that seemed to be changing when they raced into a commanding 33-5 lead shortly after the break of their match at Emirates Airline Park in Johannesburg.

The Highveld side made far too many mistakes in the first half and their defensive line was broken four times in the opening stanza, allowing the Melbourne outfit to build a solid 26-5 halftime lead.

Malcolm Marx, hooker and captain, scored the home team’s only try in the first half, but they fell further behind just two minutes after the restart when Rebels outside centre Tom English easily went over for the visitors’ fifth try of the afternoon.

The introduction of a host of replacements off the bench, especially experienced fullback Andries Coetzee, sparked some much needed urgency into the home side. The Rebels’ composure also fell away and they conceded far too many penalties and committed a heap of errors, allowing the red and white jerseys to cash in on their try account.

Marnus Schoeman (flank), Coetzee, Lionel Mapoe (centre) and Courtnall Skosan (wing) each scored a try, while Elton Jantjies added the extras with his conversions.

It was the home side who finally settled this error-strewn encounter in their favour when Lombard slotted the winning penalty after the siren had sounded to complete an improbable but thrilling comeback-win.

The Emirates Lions now travel to the Far East to play Japanese side the Sunwolves in their next game.

Scorers:

Emirates Lions 36 (5) – Tries: Malcolm Marx, Marnus Schoeman, Andries Coetzee, Courtnall Skosan, Lionel Mapoe. Conversions: Elton Jantjies (4). Penalty goal: Gianni Lombard.

Rebels 33 (26) – Tries: Reece Hodge, Quade Cooper, Billy Meakes, Isi Naisarani, Tom English. Conversions: Cooper (4).

Kolisi stars as DHL Stormers overpower Jaguares in Cape Town

#STOvJAG

Springbok captain Siya Kolisi was one of the DHL Stormers’ stars as they scored four tries in a 35-8 bonus-point win over the Jaguares in a Vodacom Super Rugby match on Friday evening in Cape Town.

The Cape side led 16-8 at the break. Kolisi was one of the four try scorers for the home side and the lively performance deservedly earned him the Man of the Match accolade.

It was a powerful display by the Springbok-laden home pack of forward that paved the way for a convincing win and just the right send-off for their four-match Australasian tour.

Dan du Plessis scored their only try of the first half in answer to Bautista Deguy’s earlier try. SP Marais converted and slotted three penalties for an eight-point halftime lead.

The home pack came out tops in the forward battle and they used the driving maul to great effect, setting up the three second-half tries by Kolisi, scrumhalf Herschel Jantjies and replacement No 9, Justin Phillips.

Robbie Fleck’s team now travel to New Zealand where they play the Hurricanes next week in the first of four away matches while the Jaguares have a bye.

Scorers:

DHL Stormers 35 (16) - Tries: Daniel du Plessis, Siya Kolisi, Hershel Jantjies, Justin Phillips; Conversions: SP Marais (2), Jean-Luc du Plessis; Penalties: Marais (3).

Jaguares 8 (8) - Try: Bautista Delguy; Penalty: Joaquin Diaz Bonilla.

Other Round 5 matches this weekend:

Friday, 15 March

Chiefs 23, Hurricanes 23

Brumbies 19, Waratahs 13

Saturday, 16 March

Sunwolves 31, Reds 34

Highlanders v Crusaders - Cancelled