That performance from the Lions is one that us Lions supporters have been waiting for all season - particularly after the team's performance in the Currie Cup last year! They have shown patches of good rugby all season, but unfortunately these have been largely outweighed by sub-standard, error-ridden performances.
They seemed to be really up for this game mentally and they managed to minimise the lapses in concentration that have been their downfall all year! The forward pack really stood up to the much fancied Sharks pack. The lineouts, which have been weak all year, were solid. The scrum, while certainly not dominant, managed to achieve close to parity with their Springbok dominated opponents.
As for the Sharks, they were very flat in this game. They seemed to turn up thinking the bonus point win was inevitable. IMO the two main reasons for their poor performance were; 1 - they put everything mentally and physically into their big win over the Stormers last week, and 2 - a number of their players had half of their minds on Springbok selection and the upcoming series against England.
Unfortunately for the Lions it is too little, too late. They are unlikely to take too many points from their remaining games away to the Stormers and Bulls (although the games certainly won't be walk-overs), but they will certainly be targeting another win when they host the Rebels at Ellis Park.