Lynagh’s lightning with a side of nostalgia

The standout moment from this past weekend’s Vodacom United Rugby Championship action came in Treviso, where Louis Lynagh lit up the scoreboard with a dazzling four try haul against the Lions. It was only the second time in URC history that a player has scored four tries in a single match - the first being Dan Sheehan for Leinster against Benetton in September 2022.

It was a performance that combined ruthless finishing with attacking artistry, and it left the Lions reeling in a 41 to 15 defeat that extended their winless away streak to 13 games. While Benetton celebrated a record victory, the Lions were once again their own worst enemy, undone by poor defence, lack of cohesion, and a coaching setup that seems stuck in neutral.

But Lynagh’s feat also invites a trip down memory lane. Before the URC, South African teams were regulars in Super Rugby, and four try hauls, while rare, did happen. We rewind to the old school Super Rugby era to revisit four other occasions when South African teams either produced or suffered a four try blitz.

1. Joeli Vidiri (Auckland Blues vs Bulls, 2000)

Bulls fans have seen some dark times, but nothing could prepare them for the hammering they took at Eden Park during a season where nothing went right.  

Big Fijian winger Joeli Vidiri had a blinder, mostly thanks to a backline that gave him so much space, he had no choice but to score more than a handful of tries.  

At the time, nobody had scored four tries in a Super Rugby game, and Vidiri held a unique record: he had scored against every team in the competition except the Bulls.  

He didn’t take long to break that duck, scoring three tries in the first half despite being sent to the sin bin for a high tackle on Bulls fullback Hannes Venter.  

He then scored the game’s best try in the second half. After collecting the ball just inside the Bulls’ half, Vidiri kicked over the advancing Wynand Lourens, gathered on the full, and chipped over Venter before touching down under the posts.  

Bulls fans have had better nights in Super Rugby, but that night belonged to the one and only Joeli Vidiri.

2. Mils Muliaina (Auckland Blues vs Bulls, 2002)

Another shocker of a season for the Bulls, and another record defeat, this time a 65 to 24 thrashing by a rampant Blues side.  

While the game was one sided and forgettable, Muliaina scored from his first touch in the opening minute, setting the tone for a Bulls side that spent most of the night backpedalling and standing behind the posts.  

With Carlos Spencer dictating play from flyhalf, Muliaina - who hadn’t scored all season - looked exceptional. The Bulls made sure of that.  

He scored in each quarter of the game, earning a rare individual feat in a match remembered for little else.

3. Gavin Lawless (Sharks vs Highlanders, 1998)
 
The Sunday Tribune and Independent Newspapers nailed the headline: Flawless Lawless, the posters read after one of the most incredible individual performances ever seen in Super Rugby.  

Gavin Lawless broke all records - four tries, nine conversions, and four penalties - racking up 50 points in a single game as the Sharks ran riot against the Highlanders.  

No player has matched that performance since, and it’s unlikely anyone ever will.  

What made it even more remarkable was that it was Lawless’ debut for the Sharks, having previously played for the Lions and Western Province.  

“Flawless” was the perfect description: he didn’t miss a kick, was always in support, and shattered scoring records that still stand today.

4. Stefan Terblanche (Sharks vs Chiefs, 1998)

Back when top class franchise rugby still made its way to Port Elizabeth - or Gqeberha, as it’s now known - Telkom Park (the old Boet Erasmus Stadium) hosted a rampant Sharks team that demolished the Chiefs, led by Terblanche’s four try haul.  

The first came from slick attacking play by Henry Honiball and Jeremy Thomson. The second saw Pieter Muller and Honiball combine to put Terblanche away. The third was a beautiful intercept that would make any winger proud. 
 
The final try came from turnover ball and a breakaway by Russell Bennett, who fed Terblanche running on his inside shoulder.

Louis Lynagh’s four try masterclass may not have been the first of its kind in the URC, but it still joins a rich tradition of individual brilliance that has lit up southern hemisphere rugby for decades. From Vidiri’s unstoppable power to Lawless’ flawless debut and Terblanche’s clinical finishing, these moments remind us that while rugby is built on teamwork, sometimes one player grabs the spotlight and never lets go. And when that happens, it’s worth remembering, because history has a habit of repeating itself - especially when the wings catch fire.