Schoeman hat-trick sees Lions past Jaguares

The Lions opened their Super Rugby season with a 25-16 victory away to the Jaguares thanks to flanker Marnus Schoeman.

Schoeman finished with a hat-trick in Buenos Aires on Saturday as the Johannesburg-based outfit won for the first time in Argentina.

The 30-year-old scored all three tries for the South African visitors, who have reached the past three Super Rugby finals, while Elton Jantjies nailed two conversions and two penalties.

The Lions took a 15-13 lead into half-time at Estadio Jose Amalfitani, where Schoeman crossed over in the second minute and he added another just past the half-hour mark after Santiago Medrano bagged a try for the Jaguares.

#JAGvLIO | Full time:
Jaguares 16 - 25 @Emirates Lions #LionsPride #JAGvLIO pic.twitter.com/dAN6oireMf

— Emirates Lions (@LionsRugbyCo) February 16, 2019

Schoeman extended the Lions' advantage nine minutes into the second half, which proved to be the only try after the break.

The Jaguares – who made the play-offs last season – had a great chance to reduce the deficit but Marcus Kremer lost the ball while over the line in the 66th minute.