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The Lions delivered a commanding performance at Ellis Park on Saturday afternoon, overcoming the Sharks 34-22 in an entertaining United Rugby Championship clash.
The Sharks were missing several of their first-choice due to Springbok rest protocols and proved no match for a Lions side firing on all cylinders.
Although the Lions took an early lead via a Chris Smith penalty, it was the Sharks who struck first when hooker Fez Mbatha powered over from a rolling maul.
But the momentum swung decisively in the Lions' favour after Sharks scrumhalf Jaden Hendrikse was sent to the sin bin for a cynical infringement.
Capitalising on the numerical advantage, prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye peeled off the back of a maul to score, before Bok scrumhalf Morne van den Berg finished off a flowing move moments later. Smith converted both tries as the Lions surged into a 20-7 lead.
The Sharks managed to stem the tide just before the break, Masuku slotting a late penalty to reduce the deficit. However, the Lions went into halftime firmly in control at 20-10 despite losing Bronson Mills to a yellow card for a high tackle.
Any hopes of a Sharks comeback were quickly extinguished after the restart. Flanker Siba Mahashe crossed early in the second half, followed by another Lions try soon after as the hosts continued to dominate the collisions and breakdown. Smith's boot remained reliable, pushing the score out to 34-15 by the 53rd minute.
The Sharks showed resilience and refused to fold, with Tino Mavesere scoring from close range and Francois Venter adding a late consolation try after sustained pressure in the dying moments. Jordan Hendrikse converted the final score, but it was too little, too late.
