HIGHLIGHTS-Super Rugby week eight

Highlights from Super Rugby week eight matches: CANTERBURY CRUSADERS 36 ACT BRUMBIES 14

The Crusaders trailed the Brumbies 7-0 at halftime but two tries each from wingers Sevu Reece and Will Jordan as well as a five-pointer from flanker Jordan Taufua after the break safely secured the bonus point win. A try from captain Christian Lealiifano while All Blacks prop Owen Franks was in the sin bin gave the Brumbies the lead at the break but the Crusaders rallied to win their first home match since the Christchurch shootings.

The victory extended their unbeaten streak at home to 23 matches and allowed the defending champions to stretch their lead at the top of the New Zealand conference to six points, while the Brumbies slumped to a fifth loss in seven matches. READ MORE

Crusaders rally to hammer Brumbies in Christchurch Wing Mapimpi bags brace as Sharks stun Lions at Ellis Park

Savea scores brace as Hurricanes sneak another win 'Mad dog' Maddocks trying not to think about World Cup

Dagg forced into retirement with knee injury Crusaders set for emotion-charged return to Christchurch

Boks back in the black as SA Rugby posts modest profit Wilting Waratahs pledge to rebound after critical review

Letting Larkham go was tough decision - Cheika Crusaders to hold review of team name, branding

De Bruin commits to Lions as Brink makes return What's in a name? Crusaders ponder change

Bulls hooker Brits gets four-week ban Naholo's World Cup hopes in balance

Bulls coach Human gets contract extension Stormers lose two Boks on Down Under tour

Tele'a, Van der Merwe suspended South Africans view Australian forwards as soft

All Blacks retain scrumhalf Smith, lose centre Crotty LIONS 5 SHARKS 42

Winger Makazole Mapimpi scored two tries as the Sharks stunned South African rivals the Lions with an emphatic victory at Ellis Park on Friday, taking the Durban-based side to the summit of the South African Conference. The visitors were on top from the start, even if it took them 20 minutes to find the opening score, before the floodgates opened as they picked gaps in a makeshift Lions backline.

Loose-forward Jacques Vermeulen, centre Lukhanyo Am, prop Thomas du Toit and replacement back Aphelele Fassi also crossed the tryline for the Sharks, who dominated possession in their first Super Rugby win at Ellis Park since 2014. Sharks prop Tendai Mtawarira became the most capped South African player in Super Rugby history when he made his 157th appearance, one more than retired former Cheetahs and Bulls hooker Adriaan Strauss.

REDS 24 STORMERS 12 Scrumhalf Tate McDermott scored a 67th minute try that gave the Reds breathing room as they beat South Africa's Stormers in Brisbane on Friday for their third victory of the season.

Captain Samu Kerevi and hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa scored tries in the first 10 minutes of the second half with Stormers captain Siya Kolisi in the sinbin after he had received a yellow card on the stroke of halftime. Kobus van Dyk and Damian de Allende scored second half-tries for the Stormers who had potential tries to fullback Damian Willemse, winger Sergeal Petersen and Kolisi referred to television match official James Leckie but not awarded.

HIGHLANDERS 28 HURRICANES 31 Ardie Savea scored two sensational long-range tries to showcase his blistering speed and help the Hurricanes down the Highlanders in Dunedin on Friday.

Captain TJ Perenara and Ngani Laumape also scored tries for the Hurricanes, who were guilty of making too many errors and struggled for much of the game in the set piece but managed to score when they needed to sneak to victory. Shannon Frizell, Ash Dixon, Kayne Hammington, James Lentjes all crossed for the home side, who had numerous attacking lineouts after the fulltime hooter but could not score.

(Compiled by Greg Stutchbury/Nick Said/Nick Mulvenney; Editing by Ed Osmond/Amlan Chakraborty)

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