Lions edge Cheetahs in Jo'burg thriller
The Lions held on in the face of a fierce comeback to edge the Cheetahs 34-29 in an eight-try Super Rugby thriller at Ellis Park on Saturday.
In what must rate as the best game of the season, the Lions twice took a commanding lead in the a second half that produced six of the eight tries.
However, as they did after going behind 0-7 down inside the opening five minutes, the Cheetahs came back from being 13-24 down to draw level at 24-all and then being behind 24-34 to close the gap to just five points with two minutes to go.
In the end the Lions held on as the Cheetahs ran from inside their 22 to inside the Lions 22, only for the home team to win a crucial turnover.
A much closer contest than expected ensued in a cool Johannesburg, before the Lions made it six victories in seven games and climbed one place to eighth on the combined standings.
The Johannesburg Lions, considered likely whipping boys before the Southern Hinter-provincial championship began two months ago, are just one point off the top-six play-off places.
But unlike some of those losses, the Bloemfontein outfit did not surrender meekly, and were within sight of the Lions' try-line in stoppage time when a turnover foiled chances of a dramatic triumph.
The willingness of both sides to run with the ball rewarded a good holiday-weekend crowd at Ellis Park.
Flank Warwick Tecklenburg, right wing Ruan Combrinck, outside centre Lionel Mapoe and scrumhalf Francois de Klerk scored a try each for the Lions, who are seeking a maiden play-offs appearance.
Flyhalf Elton Jantjies, displaying form that could see him challenge for a Springboks World Cup squad place, kicked four conversions and two penalties for a 14-point tally.
Right wing Cornal Hendricks, centres Francois Venter and Johann Sadie and replacement loose forward Carel Greeff were the Cheetahs' try-scorers.
Regular flyhalf Joe Pietersen, starting at fullback because of an injury crisis, slotted three conversions and a drop-goal.
The Cheetahs led 10-7 at half-time and then fell 14 points behind, before fighting back to give the Lions a scare and collect two bonus points.
Tries by Venter and Sadie levelled the match at 24-all with 17 minutes left and set the stage for a pulsating climax.
A Jantjies penalty nudged the Lions ahead again before a brilliant Combrinck break created the chance for diminutive De Klerk to shrug off two tacklers and dot down beside the post.
Jantjies converted for a 10-point advantage, but a cheeky chip from inside his 22 by Pietersen created a flowing move that ended with Greeff going over in the corner.
Back came the Cheetahs and a Sadie break took play inside the Lions' 22 before the ball was turned over at a ruck and the relieved home side booted the ball into touch.
Man of the match: Cornal Hendricks showed his blistering pace in open play, Willie du Plessis had his moments and Joe Pietersen was the Cheetahs' X-factor man. Johannes Prinsloo and Tienie Burger were the workhorses up front, while Willie Britz was a real thorn in the Lions' flesh. Elton Jantjies produced some sublime creative form, even though he wasn't flawless. Francois de Klerk was all energy, with a healthy mix of errors in judgement. Ruan Combrink's weaving runs deserve a mention as well. Warren Whiteley was all over the place, with great support from Warwick Tecklenburg, Jaco Kriel and Franco Mostert. However, the award goes to both teams - for the energy, commitment to the expansive cause and the sublime skills both the Lions and Cheetahs displayed.
Scorers:
For the Lions:
Tries: Vorster, Combrink, Mapoe, De Klerk
Cons: Jantjies 4
Pens: Jantjies 2
For the Cheetahs:
Tries: Hendricks, Venter, Sadie, Greeff
Cons: Pietersen 3
DG: Pietersen
Teams:
Lions: 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Ruan Combrinck, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Francois de Klerk, 8 Warren Whiteley (captain), 7 Warwick Tecklenburg, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Andries Ferreira, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Armand van der Merwe, 1 Jacques van Rooyen.
Replacements: 16 Robbie Coetzee, 17 Corne Fourie, 18 Julian Redelinghuys, 19 Luvuyiso Lusaseni, 20 Robert Kruger, 21 Ross Cronje, 22 Marnitz Boshoff, 23 Howard Mnisi.
Cheetahs: 15 Joe Pietersen, 14 Cornal Hendricks, 13 Johann Sadie, 12 Francois Venter, 11 Ryno Benjamin, 10 Willie du Plessis, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Willie Britz, 7 Johannes Prinsloo, 6 Tienie Burger, 5 Francois Uys (captain), 4 Carl Wegner, 3 Nicolaas van Dyk, 2 Torsten van Jaarsveld, 1 Danie Mienie.
Replacements: 16 Stephan Coetzee, 17 Caylib Oosthuizen, 18 Ewald van der Westhuizen, 19 Steven Sykes, 20 Carel Greeff, 21 Tian Meyer, 22 Michael van der Spuy, 23 Clayton Blommetjies.
Referee: Jaco van Heerden
Assistant referees: Marius van der Westhuizen, Ben Crouse
TMO: Johan Greeff