Lions run in 14 tries to keep the pressure on Crusaders
Last Updated: 02/07/17 7:52am
The Lions smashed the Sunwolves 94-7 in a 14-try blitz on Saturday, the biggest winning margin since Super Rugby went to 18 teams.
The 87-point margin was the biggest in the tournament for 10 years and the Lions fell just short of the all-time Super Rugby record for the biggest win - the Bulls' won by 89 points when they won 92-3 against Queensland Reds in 2007.
The Lions also equalled the Super Rugby record of 14 tries in a match as they climbed to within two points of the Crusaders at the top of the standings.
The Lions ran in nine of their 14 tries in the second half as Japan's Super Rugby representatives capitulated in all areas under the onslaught at Ellis Park.
Apart from the absence of captain Warren Whiteley, ruled out for the rest of the season with injury, the Lions fielded their strongest lineup.
Wing Ruan Combrinck scored a hat trick, with his third coming off an interception after the final hooter, as the Lions were ruthless to the end.
Flankers Kriel and Kwagga Smith scored two tries each and the Lions played with replacement scrumhalf Faf de Klerk filling in at flyhalf for the last 20 minutes - De Klerk set up four tries and scored one himself.
"If you can't make your first-time tackles or keep your line, you're not going to make it," Sunwolves captain Willie Britz said.
The Sunwolves' only try came through replacement Uwe Helu but by then the Lions were leading 59-0.
Japan's Sunwolves have been on the wrong end of a few big results since their introduction to Super Rugby last year.
They lost 92-17 to the Cheetahs for the previous record margin in the 18-team era and they also opened this season with an 83-17 loss at home to the Hurricanes.
