Scarlets boost play-offs hopes with Lions win

United Rugby Championship

Lions (7) 19

Tries: Steyn, Kriel 2 Cons: Wolhuter, Dobela

Scarlets (17) 32

Tries: Murray 2, Plumtree, J Williams Cons: Costelow 3 Pen: Costelow DG: Costelow

Scarlets boosted their United Rugby Championship play-off hopes with a bonus-point win over Lions.

A first victory on South African soil since the four South African franchises were introduced in 2021 came at the perfect time for Dwayne Peel's side, who are now up to sixth in the table with just one round to play.

Two tries from Blair Murray got them off to a perfect start in Johannesburg before Nico Steyn pulled one back.

Taine Plumtree restored Scarlets' lead after the break before two scores from Richard Kriel brought Lions right back into the contest.

Scarlets then squandered several opportunities in a nail-biting finish before Johnny Williams and Sam Costelow's boot got them over the line.

More to follow.

Lions: Quan Horn; Richard Kriel, Henco van Wyk, Bronson Mills, Edwill van der Merwe, Kade Wolhuter; Nico Steyn, Morgan Naude; Jaco Visagie (capt), Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Ruan Venter, Ruan Delport, JC Pretorius, Renzo du Plessis, Jarod Cairns.

Replacements: PJ Botha, SJ Kotze, RF Schoeman, Darrien Landsberg, Sibabalo Qoma, Layton Horn, Lubabalo Dobela, Rynhardt Jonker.

Scarlets: Blair Murray; Tom Rogers, Joe Roberts, Johnny Williams, Ellis Mee; Sam Costelow, Gareth Davies; Alec Hepburn, Marnus van der Merwe, Henry Thomas, Alex Craig, Sam Lousi, Vaea Fifita, Josh Macleod (capt), Taine Plumtree.

Replacements: Ryan Elias, Kemsley Mathias, Sam Wainwright, Dan Davis, Jarrod Taylor, Archie Hughes, Ioan Lloyd, Macs Page.

Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU)

Assistant referees: Griffin Colby (SARU), Stephan Geldenhuys (SARU)

TMO: Eoghan Cross (IRFU)

Sin bins: Lousi, (5) G Davies (33), Pretorius (53)