The Highvelders had a slender 13-10 lead at the interval but they accelerated their efforts in the second half to post a very comfortable home victory in the end.

The Emirates Lions’ victory came off the back of a brilliant second half display, during which they scored four of their six tries for a well-deserved win. Kwagga Smith (2), Andries Coetzee, Courtnall Skosan, Aphiwe Dyantyi and Hacjivah Dayimani crossed the chalk while Shaun Reynolds (flyhalf) kicked four conversions and one penalty goal.

Smith was a menace in open play and his sterling efforts were rewarded with two well-taken tries, while Malcolm Marx once more led from the front by putting in a great shift.

Johan du Toit (flank), deputizing for his injured Springbok brother Pieter-Steph, scored his maiden Vodacom Super Rugby try for the Cape side, while Herschel Jantjies (scrumhalf) and Josh Stander (flyhalf) were the other two try scorers. Stander also slotted two conversions and hit the mark with one penalty goal.

The two teams were closely matched in a tight first half, when the DHL Stormers managed to keep the deficit to just three points between them. However, a brilliant passage of play in the first 17 minutes of the second half, when they managed to score three well executed tries, sealed the match for the Highvelders.

The Emirates Lions host the Hurricanes next weekend at Emirates Airline Park, while the DHL Stormers return to Cape Town where they will host the Sunwolves in the Saturday late afternoon clash.

Scorers:

Emirates Lions 41 (13) – Tries: Kwagga Smith (2), Andries Coetzee, Courtnall Skosan, Aphiwe Dyantyi, Hacjivah Dayimani. Conversions: Shaun Reynolds (4). Penalty goal: Reynolds.

DHL Stormers 22 (10) – Tries: Johan du Toit, Herschel Jantjies, Josh Stander. Conversions: Stander (2). Penalty goal: Stander.