The British and Irish Lions came through a major coronavirus-related distraction to beat the Sharks 54-7 in their second game on tour in South Africa today, with hat-tricks from Duhan van der Merwe and Josh Adams.
The game was in doubt up to an hour before kickoff after a Lions player and a member of the backroom staff tested positive for the virus, leading to eight other players being put in isolation as close contacts.
The Lions, who had to make a raft of last-minute changes, responded with eight tries for a second straight victory on the tour. They also passed 50 points for the second time.
Owen Farrell was drafted in at flyhalf in place of Dan Biggar and he controlled the first half as the Lions opened a 26-0 lead at the break at Ellis Park.
Adams, playing out of position at fullback in a late change, crossed in the third minute and South African-born van der Merwe had his first try in the sixth minute.