Lions roar to glory

Lions roar to glory

29 Oct 2011

GARETH DUNCAN, reporting from Ellis Park, watched the Lions break their 12-year Currie Cup title drought with a 42-16 hammering of the Sharks.

After 12 years of silverware starvation, the Lions have finally fed.

The 26-point victory completed a dream campaign – which included a table-topping run throughout the league phase and an impressive 29-20 semi-final win over a WP side that had six World Cup Springboks in their match day squad. This result was also the Lions’ first Currie Cup final triumph at Ellis Park in 61 years.

The Lions wanted it more than their opposition. The Sharks, who struggled for momentum and lacked a clinical edge, looked second best for most parts of the match. The hosts ran faster, tackled harder and toiled tirelessly around the park. That determination – no – that hunger for victory influenced John Mitchell’s ‘no-name brands’ to thump a strong, Springbok-laden Sharks side.

Those who backed a win for the visitors pointed to the quality of their squad, which included seven World Cup Boks. But this match proved to be one game too much for the likes of Bismarck du Plessis and Beast Mtawarira, who struggled to make any trademark impact after long and tiring year. There was also a lack of cohesion, despite this group spending the past three weeks together.

The Lions, who’ve played generally the same side since day one of Super Rugby in February, worked like a well-oiled machine. But during this impressive team performance, the player who made the ultimate difference was flyhalf Elton Jantjies. The youngster showed Mitchell was correct in selecting him ahead of veteran Butch James during the play-off stages. After starring in the Lions’ semi-final win last Saturday, the 20-year-old displayed a Man of the Match performance as he kicked 24 points without missing one attempt.

The platform was set with a good showing in the first half. The Lions mixed moments of impressive attacking play with a resilient defence to hold a 19-6 half-time lead.

Jantjies and fullback Jaco Taute, who nailed a 57m penalty, traded penalties with flyhalf Frederic Michalak early on before wing Michael Killian scored the first try of the match. From a scrum in centre field, centre Doppies la Grange broke the Sharks defence through a set-piece move. His offload put Killian clear.

But it looked like the half would end badly for the Lions. Prop CJ van der Linde had a moment of madness in the 32-minute when he threw Sharks skipper Keegan Daniel over his shoulder whilst clearing a ruck. It earned him a yellow card. The Sharks built momentum with their one-player advantage and paid four visits to the Lions’ red zone. However, they couldn’t find a much-needed finish and the Lions escaped without conceding any points.

Then there was a controversial moment early in the second half when Willem Alberts scored a try that should not have been allowed. The Sharks flanker broke the Lions’ defensive line, but lost the ball forward in the process. However, the knock-on wasn’t sighted by the officials and referee Mark Lawrence, who seeked advice from his assistant, awarded the try. The Sharks were back in it as Michalak’s conversion made it 22-16. Game on.

The Lions, however, had other plans as that was the Sharks’ last score of the match. The following 31 minutes was arguably the best passage of play the Lions have showcased this year.

It was a strong performance that secured 20 points to seal the famous win. First, Pat Cilliers powered over from close range after the Lions attacked from deep. Jantjies added two penalties before Taute had the pace to finish another attacking move in the corner. The following conversion was the final nail in the Sharks’ coffin.

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827 Comments

Pages: « 1 2 [3] 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 … 17 » Show All

  • 101.Morne for DOR: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 18:41 pm

    Oh dear. bad mistake there mr Ref. Willem couldn’t believe he wasn’t blown there.

    This is what i hoped wouldn’t happen.

  • 102.cab: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 18:41 pm

    saying that he fkd up there, how the hell they allow that?

  • 103.julz: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 18:42 pm

    Off strauss’s hand!

  • 104.Big Hit: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 18:42 pm

    Alberts try, 22-16

  • 105.carol: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 18:43 pm

    @cab(cab)-95:
    Anyone who does not fall asleep against you, sneeze on you or talk non stop to you on a longhaul flight is ‘nice’ !! ;-)

  • 106.Michael: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 18:43 pm

    Bugger. Come on Sharks!

  • 107.Big Hit: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 18:43 pm

    @julz(julz)-103: yeah I didn’t think it was off Alberts either, it was the Lions player who knocked it back

  • 108.cab: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 18:43 pm

    Alberts all over the goddamn field.

  • 109.cab: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 18:45 pm

    @carol(carol)-105:
    true but apparently old mark is quite a chatty oke.

  • 110.carol: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 18:45 pm

    Look at that…

    I can say ‘Cave Man’ and I did not offend anyone!!

    The Saffas are the most sensitive race I have ever come across!!

    Hehehheheheeh

  • 111.simbachips: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 18:45 pm

    question: when you kick a drop goal does the ball have to bounce of the ground or just onto the foot?

    Thanks

  • 112.Michael: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 18:45 pm

    @cab(cab)-108: He is a royal pain in the arse to play against.

  • 113.Michael: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 18:45 pm

    @simbachips(brendon)-111: Either is fine.

  • 114.mpundulu: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 18:46 pm

    Lawrence, I’ve no words!

  • 115.ashampoopaloo: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 18:47 pm

    Lawrence handing game to Sharks with that blatant knock on try

    Come Lions one more try

  • 116.cab: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 18:47 pm

    bladdy brilliant by the Lions, what spirit, totally transformed side.

  • 117.Robzim: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 18:48 pm

    @carol(carol)-105:

    Last time I flew back to SA I had 2 long legged blonde German models sitting next to me and sadly neither of them did anything like that to me. Do you think there is something wrong with me?

  • 118.carol: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 18:48 pm

    @cab(cab)-109:
    He would probably be interesting…..

    I sat next to a very boring bloke all the way to Aus.

    I nearly strangled him by the time we reached Kuala Lumpa (spelling) !!

  • 119.Big Hit: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 18:48 pm

    Lions try, good finish

  • 120.ashampoopaloo: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 18:49 pm

    MOM Elton Jantjies the boy has become a MAN today. No.10 general No.1

  • 121.Michael: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 18:49 pm

    Come on Kittens! Roar!

  • 122.julz: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 18:49 pm

    Now or never Sharkies!

  • 123.Michael: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 18:49 pm

    @ashampoopaloo(joel1yahoo)-120: He has to be the next Bok flyhalf.

  • 124.cab: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 18:51 pm

    Jantjies is a completely different player compared to last year, he’s kicking in just so much better, he’s confidence too. Pretty close to the complete package, tho still get mullered in contact a bit.

  • 125.julz: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 18:52 pm

    Big hit, who are you supporting? You based in the UK?

  • 126.Big Hit: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 18:52 pm

    31-16 Jantjies

    Sharks need to score next or it’s a wrap.

  • 127.carol: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 18:52 pm

    @Robzim(Robzim)-117:

    German models….Did you have to pay a lot to sit next to them?

  • 128.carol: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 18:53 pm

    This is quite exciting!!

  • 129.theOracle: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 18:54 pm

    Jantjies is delivering a superb flyhalf performance!

  • 130.theOracle: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 18:56 pm

    The Lions throughout the season has outperformed the opposition in terms of match fitness…

  • 131.Robzim: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 18:57 pm

    @carol(carol)-127:

    Nope, I was just lucky although it did not work out as well as I was hoping for.
    Must have been the language barrier.

  • 132.carol: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 18:58 pm

    Mmmm Mark is so assertive!! ;-)

  • 133.theOracle: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 18:58 pm

    Game over for the Sharks!

  • 134.Robzim: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 18:58 pm

    @julz(julz)-125:

    A pom – shark.

  • 135.cab: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 18:59 pm

    between bismark and alberts, bismarck strips a ball right out the brilliant minnie’s hands, its a goddamn crime they werent starting for the Boks, its actually horrific.

  • 136.Morne for DOR: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 19:00 pm

    CJ has more pace than either oupa or marius/

  • 137.Big Hit: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 19:00 pm

    @julz(julz)-125: from the uk julz, would like to see the Sharks do it but it isn’t gonna happen, looks like the Lions are back in the big time.

    Sharks have the better pack but Lions more intelligent at the breakdown, better defence, more disciplined and more creativity in attack. Home advantage helps hugely of course but the right team are winning.

  • 138.ashampoopaloo: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 19:00 pm

    Lions front row destroying the Springbok front row 35-16

    If Lions lose it from here will be one mammoth implosion, Mitchell showing Plumtree who’s boss today, big time, Boks and all Lions cleaning Sharks up for fishy fritters

  • 139.carol: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 19:01 pm

    I do hope Katman has some Vintage Champagne waiting on ice…..!!

  • 140.mpundulu: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 19:01 pm

    Game set match.

  • 141.theOracle: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 19:03 pm

    Now it’s really Game OVER!! :lol:

  • 142.julz: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 19:03 pm

    Not the sharks night. Not much going their way, but no flair either.

  • 143.Big Hit: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 19:03 pm

    Taute try, 40-16 and Stransky rolling out ‘they think it’s all over’ line…

  • 144.cab: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 19:03 pm

    helluva game, well done Lions, well done Mitchell, you’ve worked wonders.

  • 145.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 19:04 pm

    First time this year the little guy from middle earth shows some emo!

  • 146.carol: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 19:04 pm

    @Robzim(Robzim)-134:
    Another Lions try…astonishing stuff here.

    Tell me, why should Pom’s be Sharks? I don’t get it!

  • 147.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 19:04 pm

    sharks with all their bokke…biggest choke?

  • 148.carol: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 19:04 pm

    Looks like Butch made a good move, I thought he was nuts!! :lol:

  • 149.ET.: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 19:05 pm

    What a huge negative statement does the Lions victories of the last two weeks make about the RWC ‘Bok decrepit stars.

    Merit selections, it seems, lies in the eyes of the beholders.

    What could M.Steyn do that Elton could not, for example? And there are more questions like that.

  • 150.Michael: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 19:05 pm

    Where is Heavens Game? Come out come out wherever you are!

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