The Lions showed championship mettle in holding off the Sharks to start their 2018 Super Rugby campaign with a 26-19 win at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on Saturday night.
The Sharks, who narrowly lost to the Lions in the playoffs in 2017, have been tipped to go far this year and produced to a top display against last year's finalists. But the Lions, who looked a bit rusty after only playing in one warm-up clash, still had enough class and the temperament to pull it through after leading 14-7 at the break.
The Sharks started brilliantly when their new signing Rob du Preez ran over his opposite number -- Lions flyhalf Elton Jantjies -- before going over the line to give his side a 7-0 lead.
The bump, though, didn't affect Jantjies' play, as the Springbok No 10 started to take control of the match and marched the Lions forward with his distribution and accurate tactical kicking.
The Lions hit back in the 17th minute when Kwagga Smith burst away from lineout and gave the Lions front-foot ball deep in the Sharks' half. Jantjies then took the ball to line before offloading to outside centre Lionel Mapoe, who ran a great line to score.
Lions debutant Aphiwe Dyantyi then scored the try of the weekend with a magnificent piece of skill in the 22nd minute. The left wing got the ball on the wing with a bit of space and scooted down the touchline, beating the Sharks defenders with his searing speed. He then cleverly put the ball on his foot with just the right strength, before re-gathering to score.
The Sharks, however, hit back hard just after halftime. Centre André Esterhuizen broke the Lions' defensive line before the ball came out to right wing Sibusiso Nkosi, who beat Lions scrumhalf Ross Cronjé with a lovely swerve to dot down from close range in the 42nd minute.
Mapoe, though, would score his second try 10 minutes later after superb break by fullback Andries Coetzee gave the Lions the opportunity canter down field and attack on the front foot. After a few phases, Mapoe powered over the line to score.
The Sharks, though, were starting to look good, and despite being dominated in the scrum managed to get some good ball to attack from. Former Kings and Cheetahs flyer Makazole Mapimpi scored on his Sharks debut in the 55th minute after some good play in the build up by the visitors.
But this Lions team is relentless, and one of the stars of their 2017 campaign, Kwagga Smith, scored from close range in the 59th minute after taking a quick tap before powering over the line from close range.
The Sharks spent most of the last 10 minutes of the match in the Lions' 22, but, despite getting lots of penalties, they just couldn't break down the Lions' defence.