Emirates Lions (48) 55
Tries: Q Horn, Maxwane (3), Van der Merwe (2), Jonker, F Horn; Conversions: Wolhuter (3), Nohamba (2), Van der Merwe; Penalty: Wolhuter
Edinburgh (0) 21
Tries: Gilchrist, Harrison, Muncaster; Conversions: Healy (2), Tompson
The Lions made for the locker room after the first 40 minutes against a Test-laden Edinburgh to a standing ovation on Saturday at, the partisan Ellis Park crowd showing their appreciation for a pitiless display that resulted in seven unanswered tries.
The Joburgers were imperious in the first stanza in a United Rugby Championship encounter, as ruthless and clinical in their execution, as much as the Scottish outfit were poor and seemingly uninterested in proceedings. It was arguably their best first half of rugby under Ivan van Rooyen since he took over in 2020.
🤯 Two Springboks rookies combine for a Lions' worldie!pic.twitter.com/uucLzPxM5s
It took Edinburgh 45 minutes to make any impact on the scoreboard – when lock Grant Gilchrist finally crashed over the whitewash early in the second half – but by then the visitors were already trailing 48-7, and the result beyond doubt. In fact, the outcome had already been decided as early as the 30th minute when Rabz Maxwane recorded his brace for a 34-0 lead.
It was a complete team effort as the Lions disrupted the line-out through the underrated Darrien Landsberg, remorselessly attacked the breakdown with JC Pretorius and Jarod Cairns, and controlled the wider channels with the fleet-footed support of eightman Franke Horn, whose reputation only continues to grow with each season.
The Lions were well-served by the crisp passing of Springbok scrumhalf Morne van den Berg, too, as they dismantled Edinburgh with beautiful flat passes and fast-paced attacking play. Any error Edinburgh made was punished in the first half, the counter-attack working with ruthless aggression.
The centre-pairing of Rynardt Jonker and Erich Cronje also had a blinder, smashing and cutting their way through a limp defensive effort.
Edwill van der Merwe’s first touch after a serious ankle injury, meanwhile, had a satisfying moment as he clattered into an Edinburgh defender, shrugging off the effort before moving the ball wide. It would eventually result in Bok teammate Quan Horn – playing riveting rugby – scoring the opening goal in the near corner. The wing also wrapped up No 8 Magnus Bradbury to deny the visitors a scoring opportunity in the 20th minute of the clash.
Van der Merwe might have wheezed his way to the tryline after Van den Berg unleashed him with a clever through-kick, but his finishing remains lethal as he collected the ball , turned on his heel to discombobulate the defence and crashed over to open his URC account for the season.
His second effort was quintessential wing play as he beat three defenders with a chip chick, smartly collected for a sensational try that gave the hosts a staggering 48-0 lead at half-time. It has been over three months since Van der Merwe last played, so he might be a little bit lead-footed but it is safe to say that there seems to be no concern regarding his confidence.
Kade Wolhuter, meanwhile, played some excellent rugby from the No 10 channel, creating opportunities, making line breaks and slotting over his conversions. It was a pity then, when he hobbled off the pitch in the 35the minute, replaced by Sanele Nohamba.
If there is perhaps any criticism to be levelled at the Joburgers, it was that they migt have lost a bit of interest in the second half. They also battled to stamp their authority at scrum-time.
Nonetheless, they depart for Europe for a three match tour 10 points strong on the log after two matches.