Both teams crossed for two tries each in the first half, but a penalty goal by Lions flyhalf Sam Francis gave the Highvelders a narrow 17–14 lead at the break.

The Johannesburgers matched the Bulls’ two unconverted second-half tries to clinch back-to-back victories in the inaugural franchise competition, following last week’s triumph in Durban. Midfielder Reinhardt Jonker dotted down for a converted try five minutes from time to seal the result for the Lions XV.

Junior Springbok hooker Esethu Mnebelele was among the Bulls’ three try-scorers.

Earlier in the day in Durban, the DHL Stormers XXIII handed the Hollywoodbets Sharks U23 a second consecutive defeat, by 21-10, in their encounter on the KP2 field next to Hollywoodbets Kings Park, where No 8 Keke Morabe crossed for a converted try to give the Cape side a 7–0 halftime lead. 

The visitors shifted into a higher gear after the restart, running in two further converted tries - both scored by wing Mfundo Ndhlovu - to claim a convincing victory. Scott Nell and Khuti Rasivhaga scored for the Sharks in the second half, but the Durbanites struggled to contend with the Stormers’ pace and physicality.

The unbeaten Lions XV top the log with 10 points from two wins, followed by the DHL Stormers XXIII on four points. The Vodacom Bulls, meanwhile, have only one point, while the Hollywoodbets Sharks continue to chase their first log point.

The competition resumes in two weeks, when the Vodacom Bulls host traditional rivals the DHL Stormers in a north-south derby on Saturday, 11 April in Pretoria.

Scorers:

Vodacom Bulls XV 24 (14) Lions XV 27 (17)
Bulls – Tries: Siphosethu Mnebelele, Jean Erasmus, Riyaad Bam. Conversions: Viaan Mentoor.
Lions – Tries: Rynhardt Jonker, Jason Hugo, Zian Cilliers, Gilermo Mentoe. Conversions: Sam Francis (2). Penalty: Francis.

Hollywoodbets Sharks U23 10 (0) DHL Stormers XXIII 21 (7)
Sharks - Tries: Scott Nell, Khuti Rasivhaga.
Stormers - Tries: Mfundo Ndhlovu (2), Keke Morabe. Conversions: Imad Khan (2), Dominic Malgas.