Marnus Schoeman hat-trick steers Lions to 16-25 win over Jaguares

Jaguares 16-25 Lions, Estadio Jose Amalfitani
Scorecard

Marnus Schoeman scored a hat-trick as Lions registered their first win over Jaguares in Buenos Aires with a 16-25 triumph in the opening round of the Super Rugby 2019 season.

Lions now are at the third position in the South African Conference while Jaguares are at fourth place.

The visitors scored the opening in the second minute that came from Schoeman as he dived at the back of a driving maul but Jaguares responded strong when Santiago Medrano dived from close range in the 16th minute. Joaquin Diaz Bonilla, who kicked the conversion also slotted penalties on either side as the home side had 13-5 lead.

Lions though did not relent under pressure as they extended their muscle near Jaguares' scrum with Schoeman picking the ball and ran past the try line for his second. Jantjies also kicked a penalty and a conversion on either side as the teams went into the break with a 13-15 lead.

Schoeman got his third try by the 50th minute that was followed by a conversion from Jantjies with the scoreline becoming 13-22. A penalty kick from Diaz Bonilla reduced the deficit but his efforts were negated when Jantjies kicked a three-pointer on his own by the 70th minute as Lions completed a 16-25 win.