Lions captain Francke Horn hails forwards following win over Sharks

The Lions enjoyed a fast start as they ran out to a 15-0 lead at the Shark Tank, only to go into the break with just a one-point lead. A try put the home side in front, but an 80th-minute blindside snipe from SA U20 superstar Haashim Pead stole it at the death for the visitors.

The men from Johannesburg were forced to work hard after they lost the dangerous Ruan Venter to a 20-minute red card in the first half after a high shot on Sharks' fullback Aphelele Fassi.

"As forwards, we scrummed with seven, we stopped mauls, so there was a really big effort, " said captain Horn.

"We knew if we could keep them out in that 20 minutes and assert our game plan onto them, getting back to 15 men, we would get our chances.

"We squandered two opportunities on the five-metre line-outs, but we also held up one of theirs. When we really needed it in the last minute, the guys came through.

"There was always that belief that we could win, and credit to the guys for staying in there and playing the whole 80 minutes."

Lions boss Ivan van Rooyen added that he was proud of the character his charges showed when they were down to 14 men.

"I don't think it [high tackle] was intentional," hinted van Rooyen.

"I think the timing was off, but I really felt in those 20 minutes we showed composure, we showed some growth there. Historically, we tend to get into our shells a little bit. In adversity, the leaders really stepped up and provided good solutions and good plans."