Lions clip Cheetahs' claws
Having claimed four unanswered tries, the hosts conceded three before snatching another, but failed to secure a bonus point for scoring at least three more than their opponents. Another disappointment was the harsh sin-binning of replacement back Rohan Janse van Rensburg eight minutes from time by South African referee Stuart Berry.
Janse van Rensburg was deemed guilty of dangerous play after what appeared to be an innocent aerial challenge for the ball.
Victory got the Lions back on the winning trail after a two-win start to the season was abruptly halted by defending champions the Highlanders in New Zealand last weekend.
"We had a difficult final 20 minutes when the Cheetahs came back strongly. Losing Jaco Kriel, one of our key players, early was a blow – but youngsters like Ruan [Ackermann] put their hands up.
"He and the other youngsters bring energy and excitement. The key for us is getting the right balance between experience and youth," ,admitted Lions No.8 Warren Whiteley.
Cheetahs captain and centre Francois Venter admitted that the Bloemfontein outfit "battled to match the high tempo of the Lions during the opening half".
After a promising start and a three-point lead, the visitors were constantly on the back foot and conceded three tries to trail 3-24 at half-time. After Ackermann struck, the Lions gradually went off the boil without ever being seriously threatened in cool South African autumn conditions.
Elton Jantjies, scrumhalf Francois de Klerk, centre Howard Mnisi, Ackermann and substitute prop Corne Fourie scored tries for the winners. Jantjies also kicked three conversions and two penalties and wing Ruan Combrinck slotted one conversion, while Jantjies was being treated for an injury.
The Cheetahs' tries came via wing Sergeal Petersen and two substitutes, scrumhalf Tian Meyer and hooker Jacques du Toit. Flyhalf Niel Marais kicked two conversions and a penalty.
Man of the match: Clayton Blommetjies' tactical kicking kept the Cheetahs going while Lodewyk de Jager gave a usual bruising performance. Sergeal Petersen was their stand-out player though as he threatened each time he touched the ball. All the Lions players put their hands up, some more do than others. Malcolm Marx was outstanding, Cyle Brink made a huge impact off the bench, Warren Whiteley stood up to take the lead when Jaco Kriel left the field early in the contest, Francois de Klerk was nippy as usual and Ruan Combrinck proved why he deserves higher honours. However, there was one player who controlled the game and demonstrated a calm head while causing havoc all over the park – Elton Jantjies.
Scorers:
For the Lions:
Tries: Jantjies, de Klerk, Mnisi, Ackermann, Fourie
Cons: Combrinck, Jantjies 3
Pens: Jantjies 2
For the Cheetahs:
Tries: Petersen, T Meyer, du Toit
Cons: Marais 2
Pen: Marais
Yellow card: Rohan Janse van Rensburg (Lions, dangerous play – tackling a player in the air, 72)
Teams:
Lions: 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Ruan Combrinck, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Howard Mnisi, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Francois de Klerk, 8 Warren Whiteley (captain), 7 Ruan Ackermann, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Andries Ferreira, 3 Julian Redelinghuys, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Dylan Smith.
Replacements: 16 Armand van der Merwe, 17 Corne Fourie, 18 Ruan Dreyer, 19 Lourens Erasmus, 20 Cyle Brink, 21 Dillon Smit, Jaco van der Walt, 23 Rohan Janse van Rensburg.
Cheetahs: 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Francois Venter (captain), 12 William Small-Smith, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Neil Marais, 9 Shaun Venter, 8 Henco Venter, 7 Uzair Cassiem, 6 Paul Schoeman, 5 Lodewyk de Jager, 4 Carl Wegner, 3 Nicolaas van Dyk, 2 Torsten van Jaarsveld, 1 Charles Marais.
Replacements: 16 Jacques du Toit, 17 Retshegofaditswe Nche, 18 Johan Coetzee, 19 Francois Uys, 20 Hilton Lobberts, 21 Johannes Prinsloo, 22 Tian Meyer, 23 Fred Zeilinga.
Referee: Stuart Berry (South Africa)
