Lions Crush Sharks in Currie Cup Season Opener

The Golden Lions made a powerful start to their 2025 Currie Cup campaign with a commanding 46–5 victory over the defending champion Sharks at Emirates Airline Park on Saturday.

In a match that showcased their attacking prowess and defensive discipline, the Lions ran in seven tries—two from winger Rabz Maxwane—while completely stifling a flat Sharks side. The win comes as redemption for last year’s narrow defeat to the Durban outfit in the final at the same venue.

The Lions dominated from the outset, scoring four tries in the first half to all but seal the result before the break. The Sharks, fielding a young and largely inexperienced squad, struggled to match the tempo and physicality of their hosts.

Jarod Cairns opened the scoring before Maxwane crossed twice in quick succession. Further tries came from Angelo Davids, Rynhardt Jonker, and Layton Horn, while a penalty try added to the Lions’ tally. Flyhalf Lubabalo Dobela slotted two conversions and a penalty, with Kade Wolhuter adding another conversion.

The Sharks’ only points came through a lone try from PK Sobahle, but it proved little more than a consolation as their defensive lapses and set-piece errors mounted under pressure.

The 46–5 result sends a strong message to the rest of the competition, with the Lions asserting themselves as early title contenders. The Sharks, meanwhile, will need to regroup quickly ahead of their next fixture.

Scorers:

Lions (46): Tries – Jarod Cairns, Rabz Maxwane (2), Angelo Davids, Rynhardt Jonker, Layton Horn, Penalty Try; Conversions – Lubabalo Dobela (2), Kade Wolhuter; Penalty – Dobela

Sharks (5): Try – PK Sobahle

The Lions will travel to Nelspruit next weekend to face the Pumas, while the Sharks return to Durban for a home clash against Western Province.