Summary

  • Match goes ahead in Johannesburg despite positive coronavirus tests in Lions camp

  • One player and one management team member test positive

  • Eight players isolating as close contacts

  • Duhan van der Merwe and Josh Adams complete try hat-tricks

  • Louis Rees-Zammit also scores early in second half

  • Van der Merwe (2), Adams & Bundee Aki bag first-half tries

  • Owen Farrell started at fly-half as Lions forced to change four backs

Live Reporting

Mike Henson

  1. The magical mystery tour continues

    Sharks 7-54 Lions

    The tour goes on then. Quite where and who is next though is difficult to say.

    Saturday's match against the Bulls isn't going to happen. Although the Lions are searching around for some new opposition.

    And then South Africa A are supposed to be the opposition this time next week. However there were 12 positives in the Springbok camp this week.

    There will be plenty more twists and turns on this magical mystery tour.

    We will see.

  2. Navidi racks up tackle stats

    Sharks 7-54 Lions

    Josh NavidiInpho

    A huge shift from Josh Navidi today.

    The Wales flanker racked up 16 tackles, more than any other Lions player, and also burgled a turnover as well.

  3. 'Go out and give it a real rattle'

    Sharks 7-54 Lions

    Lions captain Iain Henderson speaking to Sky Sports: "A lot of guys have pretty set match-day routines and weren't able to carry out those. It was off the cuff at times but we have to expect that touring. They asked questions with some big ball-carriers and they got going in the second half, but the boys dug in and did well to keep them out mostly.

    "You know you have to think that each game could be our last game on tour so you go out and give it a real rattle, and I think we have given Gats more questions to think about going forward."

  4. Sharks 7-54 Lions

    The wisdom of playing this game was questioned considering the two covid cases in the Lions camp.

    It will be again if the outbreak spreads in the coming days.

    But this was definitely a useful exercise, the Lions building style and confidence.

  5. Full-time

    Sharks 7-54 Lions

    The hooter blasts. Finn Russell hoofs dead.

    Injury check: Owen Farrell was forced off with an apparent shoulder issue, while Louis Rees-Zammit and Josh Navidi are icing a hamstring and shin respectively.

    Warren Gatland will update us shortly I'm sure...

  6. converted try

    Converted try - Sharks 7-54 Lions

    Josh Adams (con Russell)

    And Josh Adams gets in on the hat-trick act.

    Adam Beard and Taulupe Faletau with some lovely slick hands in midfield as the ball sweeps back left after Louis Rees-Zammit has made a big incursion down the right.

    A fine touchline conversion from Finn Russell.

  7. Sharks 7-47 Lions

    That brilliant from Rory Sutherland, a bit of X-factor from the Scotland prop as he breaks free and streaks over 50 yards up towards halfway.

    That is something that no other front-row forward has in their locker...

  8. try

    Converted try - Sharks 7-47 Lions

    Duhan van der Merwe (con Russell)

    The hat-trick is bagged by the former South African schoolboy international.

    But Duhan van der Merwe owes Elliot Daly a frothy beverage for the offload that set him up. The England man swatted on a superb volleyball pass to allow Van der Merwe to canter into the corner.

    Two more from Finn Russell.

  9. Chris Jones
    BBC rugby union correspondent on BBC Radio 5 Live

    “It’s such a shame this tour is being derailed by cancellations and isolations, because the race for Test selection is as fascinating as any tour in recent memory. Players who looked shoo-ins for a Test spot before the tour, such as Robbie Henshaw and Anthony Watson, have slipped down the pecking order (through no fault of their own), with several others making irrefutable cases to Warren Gatland.”

  10. No try

    Sharks 7-40 Lions

    Maro Itoje's involvement is legit. Bundee Aki is offside in the build-up however.

    No try.

    And Josh Navidi is off to the bench. Hamish Watson is on in his place.

  11. Try review

    Hold that thought.

    The TMO is checking whether Maro Itoje was offside as he slapped at a ball from an offside position.

    If he did, Josh Navidi's try under the posts will be wiped off the slate...

  12. Sharks 7-40 Lions

    The Lions defence is holding strong though multiple phases close to their own line...

  13. Sharks 7-40 Lions

    The Lions are still camped back on their own line. The Sharks banging away. And they have a penalty advantage in their back pocket...

  14. Sharks 7-40 Lions

    Maro Itoje's first involvement is a typically pesky bit of defensive line-out work.

    Man is a damn fine nuisance for his team.

  15. Replacement

    Sharks 7-40 Lions

    Maro Itoje is into the fray in the place of Iain Henderson in the Lions second row.

  16. Sharks 7-40 Lions

    The Lions grab the turnover when it's needed most to relieve the pressure.

    Their defence has been good, even if the Sharks attack has been toothless.

  17. Sharks 7-40 Lions

    Ken Owens' line-out throw clears the man at the back of the queue.

    James Venter bashes up to within a metre...pressure here.

  18. converted try

    Converted try - Sharks 7-40 Lions

    Louis Rees-Zammit (con Russell)

    Those wheels work at high altitude. And the Sharks learn the hard way about kicking to this Lions back three.

    Josh Adams gathers a grubber forward, gets his arm free and flips a pass to Louis Rees-Zammit.

    Rees-Zammit feathers the pedal and leaves Thaakir Abrahams in the dust to race in under the posts.

    Rees-ZammitGetty Images
  19. converted try

    Converted try - Sharks 7-33 Lions

    Josh Adams (con Russell)

    It is a try only its scorer could love.

    A real scrappy, scrathy score as Josh Adams hacks on a loose ball after Sharks centre Marius Louw thinks he has nabbed a turnover.

    Full-back Manie Libbok should clean up the mess, but only manages to shovel the ball back towards Adams who dots down for his seventh try of the tour so far.

    Another two for Finn Russell.

  20. Replacement

    Sharks 7-26 Lions

    And Ken Owens replaces the impressive Luke Cowan-Dickie in the Lions front row.