The win came as a welcome relief for the New South Wales side, who managed to register their first victory of the 2020 season, while they also snapped a five-game losing run against the team from Johannesburg. The Waratahs also bagged an important bonus-point after outscoring the Emirates Lions by five tries to two.

Hard-working flank Marnus Schoeman was the visitors’ standout player and he was rewarded with two tries.

After the Waratahs opened up a considerable 19-0 lead with three tries inside the opening 20 minutes, the Emirates Lions managed to slowly claw their way back with a converted try by Schoeman.

The Waratahs forwards made the most of a dominating start and they scored three tries amongst them, with Angus Bell, Lachlan Swinton and Jack Dempsey each dotting down.

Emirates Lions skipper Elton Jantjies slotted a penalty goal as the visitors went into the break with a nine-point deficit, 19-10.

Although the Joburg team played much better in the second half, they made far to many handling errors, which eventually allowed the Waratahs to pull clear for a comfortable first win of the season. James Ramm and Tetera Faulkner were their second half try scorers.

The Emirates Lions now travel to Melbourne for next weekend’s clash with the Rebels.

Earlier in the day the Rebels, who last week lost to the Cell C Sharks, pulled off a surprise 28-22 victory over the Highlanders in Dunedin.

Scorers:

Waratahs 29 (19) -Tries: Angus Bell, Lachlan Swinton, Jack Dempsey, James Ramm, Tetera Faulkner. Conversions: Will Harrison (2).

Emirates Lions 17 (10) - Tries: Marnus Schoeman (2). Conversions: Andries Coetzee, Elton Jantjies. Penalty goal: Jantjies.