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

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  • 201.ashampoopaloo: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 19:35 pm

    Wikus Van Heerden unsung hero along with CJ, Maku, Cilliers who owned Beast, Vd Merwe, Minnie, Rhodes, Strauss, Whitely. Enormous performances.

    Mitchell has put the roar back at Ellis Park for sure. Deserved victory and emphatic season of a miracle Lions turnaround.

  • 202.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 19:36 pm

    Did mitchell ever once say he wanted the job? Huh?

  • 203.julz: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 19:36 pm

    Intellectual capital of lions coaching staff and look at the result. Makes one wonder what they could do with the Boks as apposed to the intellectual children who turned gold into lead.

  • 204.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 19:36 pm

    @wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-196: what part of mitch saying he is not in the running is not clear?

  • 205.carol: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 19:37 pm

    Have a good evening all.

    @wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-197: Chin up Spooner, you can always watch ‘Stictly’ for a laugh!!

  • 206.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 19:38 pm

    Doppies cute babyyY!!!!!!

  • 207.XV: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 19:38 pm

    @Dawn(Dawn)-202: money talks and BS walks.

  • 208.Robzim: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 19:39 pm

    Where is the great Soda Joe now if one wants to congratulate him?

  • 209.XV: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 19:39 pm

    @julz(julz)-203: dont you mean gold into ****?

  • 210.I am a stormer: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 19:39 pm

    Conratulations to the Lions on a well deserved victory. It was a real fairytale end to the season. And they’ve proved that they are back as a force in South African rugby.
    To all their supporters out there RL, katman, cab and the others. Enjoy the moment!!

  • 211.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 19:39 pm

    Nice jive Taute!

  • 212.Jozi: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 19:43 pm

    Liooons…….Lioooons….Liooooons!
    All hail the might Lions!
    We love you John Mitchel, we love you.
    We are going to name our children and grandchildren and great grandchildren after you. We love you.

    Arise Sir John Mitchell, you have now been granted the freedom of Johannesburg.

  • 213.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 19:43 pm

    Nice to see all the WAGs taking victory walk too

  • 214.ET.: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 19:43 pm

    @wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-196:

    What would a pink-arsed Macaque/Makak minkey know about any coaching positives or negatives?

  • 215.mpundulu: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 19:44 pm

    SARU needs to beg Mitchell and Carlos to coach the boks and lions simultaneously.

  • 216.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 19:45 pm

    Nice vibe on the field, vibe just been ruined here.

  • 217.theOracle: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 19:47 pm

    Magnificent crowd… nobody wants to go home in Cola Park..

  • 218.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 19:49 pm

    yoh, even JOZI shows up tonight hahahahaha enjoy sbali!

  • 219.charo: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 19:49 pm

    just got back from the golf club at kloof cc.

    what a great game – what a great final.

    the club members applauded the lions at the final whistle.

    well done – a fairy tale season.

    it was a team against hot shot individuals – and the team won.

    there is so much young talent coming through – the new bok coach must take advantage.

    to the katman and all the other good lions supporters – well done guys and enjoy the moment.

  • 220.theOracle: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 19:52 pm

    Doppies is one of the unsung hero of this game.. broke the line at will and his defence was impregnable..

  • 221.wooden spoon: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 19:52 pm

    Yoh, Dawn and Trans aggro about Mitchell not wanting the job.

    It’s very simple. You offer the dough.

  • 222.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 19:53 pm

    Leeuloop?

  • 223.theOracle: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 19:55 pm

    Killian has perfected his skill as a support runner… he pops up everywhere!

  • 224.theOracle: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 19:57 pm

    Where’s Ashwin Willemse tonight?

  • 225.Rugby-1: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 19:57 pm

    Well done Lions, fantastic performance and well deserved victory. Loved every minute of it, awesome awesome!!!!

  • 226.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 20:02 pm

    nothing ‘aggro’ just asking a relevant question…

  • 227.mshiniwami: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 20:03 pm

    Well done Lions.

    Team wanted it more.

    When Jantjes kicked the drop goal-Lions meant business

    And Lions pack outplayed Sharks more illustrious counterparts.Cilliers,Maku were huge.Smashed Beast and Bismark.

    Jantjes…Recognize fellas,he is now Bok 10 contender,BONAFIDE,8 out of 8

    Plumtree is a fraud as a head coach,forwards coach at nest-been calling it for a while.

    Mitchell has done a great job.still not a Bok coach so before people get on bandwagon-east easy.But well done,hopefully Superrugby they will be competitive

    Hoffman,Joubert,Terblanche….nuff sed

  • 228.wooden spoon: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 20:05 pm

    ok my turn for a question: Are the Boks a team that must be prepared to settle for 2nd best?

  • 229.julz: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 20:07 pm

    @mshini
    Yes, they were kak!

  • 230.wooden spoon: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 20:09 pm

    @mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-227:

    “Plumtree is a fraud as a head coach,forwards coach at nest-been [sic] calling it for a while. “

    Agree. Time for a change at the Sharks.

    “Mitchell has done a great job.still not a Bok coach so before people get on bandwagon-east easy [sic].”

    Disagree. If he was good enough for 3N and 85%+ for NZ, he is good enough for SA.

  • 231.ET.: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 20:09 pm

    @wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-228:

    What seemingly rational question can a pink-arsed Macaque/Makak minkey ask?

  • 232.julz: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 20:10 pm

    Cronje injected urgency, adi, penetration and mvovo, pace…

  • 233.wooden spoon: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 20:12 pm

    Can anyone hear that vervet chatter?

    :lol:

  • 234.Porra the Fat and Clever Speedster: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 20:13 pm

    maybe
    not the
    best
    strategy
    but i
    really liked
    how the
    lions
    kept running
    at the
    guppies
    instead of just
    winding it
    down
    towards
    the end

  • 235.wooden spoon: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 20:13 pm

    Watching Saracens play. Schalk Brits is starting. Wonder if Smit is on the bench?

  • 236.ET.: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 20:14 pm

    @wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-233:

    Not only does the pink-arsed Macaque/Makak hear and see but it also responds.

    Does it suffer the blues in Brum or just up its bum?

  • 237.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 20:14 pm

    mshini: i hope elton has shown guys like HendrikP that he has the chops

  • 238.wooden spoon: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 20:15 pm

    @Transformation(Transformation)-237: Jantjes is very good. Bok no 10 for sure.

  • 239.CoachPete: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 20:16 pm

    Future Bok backline
    15. Taute
    14 JPP
    13 JF
    12 F steyn
    11 Sadie
    10 Lambie
    9 Hougaard

    And boys this is just My opinion :)

  • 240.wooden spoon: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 20:16 pm

    Yoh Schalk Brits hasn’t lost his sidestep…

  • 241.mshiniwami: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 20:16 pm

    Wooden spoon

    Deans has a 75% win ratio at superrugby yet at internationals he stands at around 55% ratio…that’s worse than even mediocre John Connoly his predecessor.

    Mitchell does good patch up jobs there after 18months,its very different…Force/Chiefs

    But hey that’s me

  • 242.Robzim: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 20:17 pm

    @wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-235:

    Lol, do you think he would have been able to “inspire” the Sharks to a victory today?

    Mind you, Bismark was not at his best, in fact, i reckon he was outplayed by the lions no 2.

    It was a tough day in the office for the sharks- at least they made the finals while WP is already on an early holiday.

  • 243.wooden spoon: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 20:18 pm

    @Robzim(Robzim)-242: lol, what did the much vaunted Boks bring to the table today? Nada.

  • 244.Nils: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 20:19 pm

    Glad to see Lions roaring big time. Enjoy thoroughly deserved triumph!

  • 245.Robzim: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 20:20 pm

    @wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-240:

    Great player, that boykie from Mossel Bay.
    Wish I could see the match- we got London Irish versus Luke’s old team on tv at the moment.

  • 246.wooden spoon: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 20:21 pm

    @Robzim(Robzim)-245: Saracens are doing all the attacking. 17-9 with 10mins to go, just got a penalty in front of the poles. Should be 17-12 with 8 to go.

  • 247.CoachPete: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 20:21 pm

    yes Well done Lions

    Winning tri nations coach A Kiwi
    Winning world cup Coach A kiwi
    Winning Currie cup coach A Kiwi

    Note the pattern?

  • 248.wooden spoon: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 20:21 pm

    17 – 12 to Gloucester that is.

  • 249.Robzim: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 20:22 pm

    @wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-246:

    Thks, please post the final score here as well.

  • 250.CoachPete: Reply to this comment
    29 Oct 2011, 20:23 pm

    @Robzim(Robzim)-249:
    Hey Rob Watch it on http://www.vipbox.tv

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