A historic success, the Lions’ first on South African soil. The playoffs are closer
At the Hollywoodbets Kings Park in Durban in the third to last act of the regular season of the United Rugby Championship between Sharks and Benetton Rugby, a comeback victory for coach Bortolami’s team which is getting closer to the playoff placement. In Durban the Lions are immediately aggressive and get a shot from a good position: Leonardo Marin doesn’t make a mistake. The South Africans react by exploiting the speed of the attacking midfield and Fassi scores. Masuku transforms. The Sharks continue to press and Nche smashes the ball to the ground to crown a long series of charges. Masuku takes the post from the pitch. Benetton tries to get closer to the hosts, but they don’t materialize a good opportunity. Zani has to leave the pitch due to an injury and is replaced by debutant Aminu. The green-and-whites then scored the first try: great combination between Brex and Tommaso Menoncello. The Treviso center spreads panic and goes to score. Marin doesn’t hit the posts and the first half ends at 12-8 for the South Africans. At the start of the second half the Lions went into touch within five meters and an overflowing maul from Gianmarco Lucchesi steered it all the way. Marin converts and then leaves the field to Umaga. However, the Sharks still escape ahead with Kok’s solitary progression. Masuku converts from the pitch. Changes for the Trevisos: Zilocchi, Bernasconi and Zanon for Ferrari, Lucchesi and Menoncello. The Durban men look for the decisive breakthrough and Kok scores a brace. Masuku hits the post again from the pitch. Now room for Iachizzi Duvenage in place of Niccolò Cannone and Uren. The Lions win a free kick and Jacob Umaga doesn’t miss from the pitch. Afterwards Murray was sent off for a headbutt against Menoncello in the ruck. The Lions manage to reach the goal with Jacob Umaga, served by the powerful percussion of Zanon. Umaga himself transforms. The green-and-whites held on in the final minutes and celebrated a platinum victory of 24-25. A historic success, the Lions’ first on South African soil.
