That represents excellent progress under new coach Robbie Deans, but his Springboks counterpart Peter de Villiers is now under increasing pressure after another lacklustre display at the ABSA Stadium.
O'Connell was delighted with how the Lions kept the Sharks try-less at the ABSA Stadium as the tourists build for the first Test against South Africa on 20 June.
If Lions are going to cause a shock at ABSA Park then pupil Roberts and master O'Driscoll are major factors opposite the impressive Springboks centre pairing of Jean de Villiers and Adi Jacobs.