The result made it six straight wins for the Gauteng outfit in Johannesburg, while snapping the Irish side's own six-match winning streak.

The Lions needed just five minutes to strike, as Angelo Davids finished off a slick move out wide after the hosts stretched Connacht's defence. Chris Smith added the extras from the touchline, setting the platform for what would become a near-flawless opening 40 minutes.

Connacht showed plenty of intent with ball in hand, repeatedly working their way into Lions territory, but were met by a defensive wall.

Instead, a moment of individual brilliance from Henco van Wyk doubled the lead in the 21st minute, as the centre sliced through from distance and powered over, before Smith's second conversion made it 14-0.

On the stroke of half-time, a sweeping move ended with Siba Mahashe diving over in the corner, with Smith maintaining his perfect record from the tee to give the home side a 21-0 cushion at the break.

Any hopes of a Connacht comeback were dealt an early blow in the second half when Erich Cronje crossed just three minutes after the restart, capping another fluid attacking sequence to stretch the lead to 28-0.

To their credit, Connacht refused to fold. A yellow card to Lions prop SJ Kotze opened the door, and John Devine took advantage to get the visitors on the board, before replacement Sean Naughton converted.

But the Lions quickly reasserted control, as Van Wyk grabbed his second try in the 71st minute after sustained pressure inside the Connacht 22, effectively putting the result beyond doubt despite a rare missed conversion from Smith.

Connacht did find late reward in the closing stages. After a disallowed try for a knock-on, further scores from Devine and Paul Boyle in the closing stages added some respectability to the scoreboard as the Lions took their foot off the gas.

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Finished Indian Premier League