Lions beat Scarlets 29-18 for first URC win as Brandon scores twice

The Lions secured their first win of the United Rugby Championship season, beating the Scarlets 29-18 at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on Saturday, with replacement hooker Morne Brandon scoring two late tries to seal the result. The victory, achieved in a match between the competition's bottom two teams, lifted the Lions off the foot of the table and handed them a bonus point for four tries.

The Scarlets opened the scoring when flyhalf Sam Costelow slotted a 40-metre penalty in the 12th minute, but the home side took control before halftime when Quan Horn finished a move created by JC Pretorius to lead 5-3 at the interval. Chris Smith extended the Lions' lead early in the second half with a penalty before Costelow replied to reduce the deficit to two points. Franco Marais then finished a powerful lineout drive to make it 11-6, only for Scarlets to be awarded a penalty try after Lions lock Darrien Landsberg was yellow carded in the 68th minute for collapsing a maul, bringing the visitors back to 16-13.

The contest was decided in the closing stages as Brandon crossed twice following incisive Lions play from scrumhalf Nico Steyn and others. Replacement flyhalf Gianni Lombard added two...