Outclassed Edinburgh Rugby ship eight tries in South African drubbing

The capital outfit did not get on the board in Johannesburg until the second half, when they scored three tries with the contest long since over.

Ruan Venter was the first to cross for the hosts in the sixth minute, and Francke Horn crashed over for their second 13 minutes later. By half-time, they had added three further scores through Darrien Landsberg, Morne van den Berg and Bronson Mills, with Chris Smith converting all five.

Edinburgh finally registered their first points four minutes into the second period thanks to a Ewan Ashman try after Horn was sin-binned but Angelo Davids scored twice to sandwich a try from Freddy Douglas for the visitors.

Matt Currie sprinted across the line for Edinburgh’s third in the 72nd minute but it was fitting that the rampant Lions had the final word as Hasseim Pead wrapped up the scoring.

The result leaves Edinburgh Rugby in 13th place, with their hopes of reaching the play-offs now in grave jeopardy.

Sean Everitt’s men have five regular season matches left and their next assignment is in Cape Town next Saturday when they face DHL Stormers. They also have three home matches against Zebre, Sharks and Connacht as well as a trip to Dragons.

Edinburgh are also in the last 16 of the Champions Cup, but face a daunting trip to Dublin to play Leinster next month.