The Golden Lions scored two late tries to secure a comeback 29-20 bonus-point win over Western Province at Ellis Park on Sunday afternoon. CRAIG LEWIS reports.
Coming into this clash, the Lions had fallen to the bottom of the Currie Cup standings, and yet they managed to overturn a 10-point deficit in the second half to clinch a memorable win.
The result lifts the Lions back to fourth place, and while Province remain in second spot, they will now have to wait until next weekend’s final round of pool action to try and secure a home semi-final.
Province started this clash in dominant fashion as they camped in Lions territory, while Robert du Preez slotted an early penalty before Nizaam Carr finished off a well-worked breakout try.
The Lions quickly clawed their way back though, and drew the scores level on the half-hour mark when Sylvian Mahuza went over for his team’s opening try after Jaco van der Walt had slotted a long-distance penalty.
However, the hosts continued to be exposed on defence, with Du Preez scoring next as he showcased a lovely show-and-go to ghost through the defence as heavy rain began to fall.
The weather quickly went from bad to worse as lightning and hail suddenly forced the players from the field, and although action resumed soon after, the 17-10 scoreline remained unchanged before the half-time break.
With the inclement weather having clearing up during the interval, Du Preez edged Province into a handy 10-point lead when he slotted a 55th-minute penalty, but the Lions simply refused to give up the fight.
Just before the hour mark, Aphiwe Dyantyi darted away for an opportunistic try, but the winger then failed to capitalise on a golden opportunity to hand the Lions the lead when he knocked the ball on over the tryline soon after.
It meant it remained just a three-point ball game heading into the final 10 minutes, but the Lions then struck the crucial double blow when Robert Kruger and Rohan Janse van Rensburg went over to score late in the game.
Golden Lions – Tries: Sylvian Mahuza, Aphiwe Dyantyi, Robert Kruger, Rohan Janse van Rensburg. Conversions: Jaco van der Walt (2), Ashlon Davids. Penalty: Van der Walt.
Western Province – Tries: Nizaam Carr, Robert du Preez. Conversions: Du Preez (2). Penalties: Du Preez (2).
Golden Lions – 15 Jaco van der Walt, 14 Sylvian Mahuza, 13 Harold Vorster, 12 Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 11 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 10 Ashlon Davids, 9 Marco Jansen van Vuren, 8 Kwagga Smith, 7 Jo Hanko de Villiers, 6 Len Massyn, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Andries Ferreira, 3 Jacobie Adriaanse, 2 Pieter Jansen, 1 Jacques van Rooyen (c).
Subs: 16 Robbie Coetzee, 17 Dylan Smith, 18 Johannes Jonker, 19 Rhyno Herbst, 20 Hacjuivah Dayimani, 21 Bradley Thain, 22 Jan-Louis La Grange.
Western Province – 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 EW Viljoen, 12 Huw Jones, 11 Ruhan Nel, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage, 8 Nizaam Carr, 7 Cobus Wiese, 6 Kobus van Dyk, 5 JD Schickerling, 4 Chris van Zyl (c), 3 Frans van Wyk, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg.
Subs: 16 Ramone Samuels, 17 Caylib Oosthuizen, 18 Jan de Klerk, 19 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 20 Justin Phillips, 21 Werner Kok, 22 Craig Barry.
Photo: Gallo Images
