SuperRugby highlights: Lions v

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – FEBRUARY 17: Lionel Mapoe of the Emirates Lions scores with close attention from Cameron Wright of the Cell C Sharks during the Super Rugby match between Emirates Lions and Cell C Sharks at Emirates Airline Park on February 17, 2018 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Gordon Arons/Gallo Images)

SuperRugby highlights: Lions vs Sharks [video]

The Lions and the Sharks traded derby blows in their Super Rugby opener – with the hosts just coming out on top of an opening night thriller. Robert du Preez marked his debut with an eighth-minute try as he breezed past opposite number Elton Jantjies to go in under the posts. Also read: Super Rugby: […]

SuperRugby highlights: Lions v

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – FEBRUARY 17: Lionel Mapoe of the Emirates Lions scores with close attention from Cameron Wright of the Cell C Sharks during the Super Rugby match between Emirates Lions and Cell C Sharks at Emirates Airline Park on February 17, 2018 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Gordon Arons/Gallo Images)

The Lions and the Sharks traded derby blows in their Super Rugby opener – with the hosts just coming out on top of an opening night thriller.

Robert du Preez marked his debut with an eighth-minute try as he breezed past opposite number Elton Jantjies to go in under the posts.

Also read: Super Rugby: Results and latest table, 17 February

But Lionel Mapoe found a gap to cross over at the other end as the Lions pulled level.

Aphiwe Dyantyi then came up with a piece of debut magic.

The 23-year-old wing seared down the left, grubbed through a kick and finished like an old pro in the corner to set Ellis Park alight.

Sbu Nkosi ensured the Sharks came out fighting after half time, squeezing into the corner for a quickfire score.

But Mapoe finished off a move ten minutes later that owed everything to Andries Coetzee’s burst from half way.

Try machine Makazole Mapimpi helped return it to a two-point game when he lurked out wide before trotting in to score.

And so up the other end they went for Blitzbok ace Kwagga Smith to bundle over and extend the lead once more.

The visitors exerted some scary late pressure when a converted try would have meant a draw.

But last year’s beaten finalists clung on to start with a victory.

Watch: Lions vs Sharks highlights