A vastly improved second-half in pursuit of a four-try crumb of comfort falls metres short, to complete a very tough afternoon in Johannesburg.

Ali Price replaces Vellacott to make his 100th URC appearance, as Edinburgh chase a fourth try that would salvage a losing-bonus point.

Rabz Maxwane completes a hat-trick as Lions make their first mark on the half with a convered score (55-21).

Ben Muncaster – on earlier for Hamish Watson – is the next forward to batter over from short range after the big men do some damage in close quarters.

Thompson converts (48-21).

The penalties are racking up for Loins and, in such proximity to the line, the referee as no choice by to send replacement loosehead Heiko Pohlmann to the bin.

Thompson kicks for the 5m lineout…

An improved half from Edinburgh continues – far more confrontational and direct – forcing the Lions to a rare clearance kick, to then form a counter of their own.

Lions are pinged at the breakdown and Edinburgh build from within the opposition 22…

Boan Venter comes on for Schoeman.

Ross Thompson comes on for Healy at #10.

Strong in the carry once more from the Edinburgh pack does some damage – consistently imposing work from from Pierre Schoeman is backed up by Paddy Harrison, who combines power with footwork to cross the paint.

Healy adds the extras (48-14).

Better rhythm and speed on the ball from Edinburgh is ultimately as Lions concede a fourth penalty of the half, as they can’t back tack quick enough.

Grant Gilchrist powers over from short range as the pack batter and barge their way over from a lineout deep in Lions territory.

Healy converts (48-7).

Back underway here in Jo’burg.

A counter-attacking masterclass from the hosts sees them well in front.

The story of the half continues for Edinburgh who lose possession in attack on the far side.

Immediately Lions send the passes from one wing to another with men in support. Edwill van der Merwe with the finish as he chips over to dot down and complete a half to forget. Conversion successful (48-0).

Relentless here from the hosts in Jo’burg as captain Francke Horn dives over from short range at the end of another counter, after a missed Edinburgh clearance to touch is caught and ran straight back (41-0).

Lions wing Rabz Maxwane is at the double with another example of counter attacking rugby at its near best from the hosts, who capitalise on an Edinburgh attempt to intercept. The flags go up with the extra two (36-0).

Lions cross for a fourth to secure the bonus point, consistently keeping the ball alive to continually challenge the Edinburgh defensive line – centre Rynhardt Jonker the beneficiary to glide through for the converted score (29-0).

As scintillating as it was sickening for Edinburgh who are turned over deep in Lions territory.

The hosts break free first through full-back Quan Horn who spotted the space and zipped the ball left to kick start the counter which went end-to-end.

Wolhuter converts (22-0).

The Edinburgh maul from the 5m line does just about everything right there, marching over the line, but Loins get enough bodies underneath it to hold it up.

They clear with the goal-line drop and Edinburgh attack once more (15-0).

Edinburgh need a foothold here and their battles at the breakdown are rewarded with a penalty. Healy sends it long and ER build from the lineout…

Loins underscore their credentials in counter attack as they race down the far side flank, with #14 Rabz Maxwane taking on Graham one-on-one to dot down at the corner flag.

Conversion successful to make for a tough start for the visitors (15-0).

Edinburgh gets its first spell in possession with some patient build up play but will be disappointed to lose a fairly cheap penalty at the breakdown and allow Lions to clear the ball down field.

Lions #15 Quan Horn is the man on the end of consistent interplay from the hosts, who shift the point of attack this way and that, to ultimately cross the whitewash at the corner flag,

Conversion is unsuccessful (8-0).

Lions #10 Kade Wolhuter slots the three pointers after an illegal steal from Magnus Bradbury on the fringes of the Edinburgh 22 is penalised (0-3).

Kick-off! We’re underway here in Jo’burg!

The Edinburgh Rugby team is in the house and is otherwise ‘as announced’, featuring a new half-back partnership – club co-captain Ben Vellacott and stand-off Ben Healy will start having featured in all the capital’s matches this season, however this will be the pair’s first competitive starts of the campaign.

Pre-match team change for Edinburgh Rugby

Wing Duhan van der Merwe has withdrawn from today’s match due to injury.

Mosese Tuipulotu moves to 13, Ross McCann shifts onto the wing, with Tom Dodd into the replacements.

Hello and welcome to today’s match centre, where we’ll be covering today’s Emirates Lions v Edinburgh Rugby match live, on edinburghrugby.org!

The match is of course live on Premier Sports, but if you’re not a subscriber, we’ve got your covered right here!