Lions edge Leinster in Ellis Park thriller

The Lions started their Vodacom United Rugby Championship campaign with a dramatic 27-26 victory over defending champions Leinster at Ellis Park on Saturday.

Ivan van Rooyen’s side survived a late scare as Leinster crossed twice in the final six minutes to claim two bonus points.

FIRST HALF RECAP: FAST AND FURIOUS START

Leinster struck first through scrumhalf Fintan Gunne, who squeezed over inside six minutes. The Lions responded immediately when Erich Cronje finished off a strong scrum move.

Chris Smith’s conversion and a follow-up penalty pushed the hosts ahead, but Gunne crossed twice more before halftime. His hat-trick, converted by Caspar Gabriel, sent Leinster into the break 19-17 up.

SECOND HALF RECAP: LIONS CLINCH WIN, BUT LEINSTER SNATCH BONUS POINTS

The second half turned into a tighter contest, with neither side finding the tryline for 60 minutes. Smith’s penalty edged the Lions back in front, and a yellow card for Leinster’s Dylan McNeice gave the hosts a numbers advantage.

The extra man told when Cronje’s cross-kick found wing Kelly Mpeku, who dotted down in the corner. Smith’s conversion stretched the lead to eight points.

Leinster refused to fold. A late yellow card for the Lions’ SJ Kotze handed the visitors a five-metre attacking platform, and replacement hooker Stephen Smyth barrelled over after the hooter. Harry Byrne’s conversion secured two losing bonus points for Leinster despite the defeat.

The Lions will need to tighten their defence before facing tougher URC opposition, but the win over the champions offers a solid platform to build on.