Pead the hero as Lions snatch dramatic win

by | Jan 4, 2026 | African Golf News

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Replacement scrumhalf Haashim Pead’s 81st-minute try gave the Lions a stunning victory against the Sharks in Durban on Saturday.

The 23-22 result broke a four-match losing streak for the Lions across competitions and handed Sharks interim coach JP Pietersen his first loss.

The Sharks only had themselves to blame as they turned down several kickable penalties late in the game in order to push for a try. Flyhalf Jordan Hendrikse also missed three of his four conversion attempts.

That cost them dearly as Pead, the Junior Boks star, went blind from a ruck after a sustained period of pressure.

The Lions’ high-octane game had the Sharks rattled early on, with the visitors racing into a 15-0 lead through tries by lock Etienne Oosthuizen and captain and No 8 Francke Horn, and a penalty and conversion by flyhalf Chris Smith.

But with their first real meaningful possession and attack, the Sharks got on the scoreboard when No 8 Manu Tshituka went over.

The Sharks were next to score again on 25 minutes when flanker Siya Kolisi crashed over from a lineout 5m out. Jordan Hendrikse converted to bring them back to within three points.

Another Smith penalty extended the Lions’ lead to six points, but on the stroke of half-time Lions flank Ruan Venter was yellow-carded for a head-high hit on Sharks fullback Aphelele Fassi.

The home side made the Lions pay with a 70m attack which was finished off by lock Jason Jenkins, which brought them to within a single point. However, there was some debate over whether Jenkins had lost control of the ball in the process of dotting down.

The Lions held a slender 18-17 lead at the break.

Two minutes into the second half came the news that the visitors feared when a bunker review saw Venter’s yellow upgraded to a 20-minute red.

A scrappy half was lit up by a a moment of individual brilliance by Edwill van der Merwe just before the hour mark. The Springbok wing raced onto a kick-through to touch down to give the Sharks the lead for the first time, 22-18.

That seemed to be enough, but the Sharks’ decision not to take three points when on offer and the late Pead magic saw the visitors record a dramatic win.

The URC takes a two-week break, with the Sharks next in action away to Sale in the Investec Champions Cup, followed by Clermont at home. The Lions next face Lyon and Perpignan in the EPCR Challenge Cup.

SHARKS – Tries: Manu Tshituka, Siya Kolisi, Jason Jenkins, Edwill van der Merwe. Conversion: Jordan Hendrikse.
LIONS – Tries: Etienne Oosthuizen, Francke Horn, Haashim Pead. Conversion: Chris Smith. Penalties: Smith (2).

Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images

 

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