Emmanuel Tshituka scored a brace of tries against Newcastle Falcons in Johannesburg on Saturday as the Lions made it two wins on the trot in the Challenge Cup.
Leading 14-6 at half time, the Lions scored five tries while Sanele Nohamba kicked 12 points in a bonus-point 35-13 win at Ellis Park, following an opening round victory over Perpignan in France last week.
Two first-half tries from hooker PJ Botha and loosehead prop JP Smith powered the hosts in front, with No 10 Brett Connon splitting the uprights with two penalties for the visitors, who lost skipper Josh Bainbridge and SA loose forward Philip van der Walt to a yellow card apiece before the break.
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The first try of the game at Emirates Airline Park goes to @LionsRugbyCo 💪
Watch live on @SuperSportTV, @ViaPlaySportsUK, @FloRugby, Premier Sports and https://t.co/cI5BzWKcGS 📺#ChallengeCupRugby pic.twitter.com/5S8uVYPDql
— EPCR Challenge Cup (@ChallengeCup_) December 16, 2023
Lions flanker Tshituka crossed the whitewash midway through the third quarter, but replacement Freddie Lockwood pulled one back for Newcastle as the match entered the final 20 minutes.
Captain Marius Louw crashed over for the home side’s fourth try to secure the bonus point, and Tshituka dotted down before the final hooter to complete an emphatic win for The Pride.
The Lions’ next assignment will be against the Sharks in the Vodacom URC in Durban on 6 January.
Photo: @LionsRugbyCo/Twitter