Player ratings: One last miss
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The Golden Lions came agonizingly close to winning their first Currie Cup since 2011 but they missed a final penalty to succumb to Western Province 19-16.
The Lions were blown away by Province in a first half where they could not register any points.
However it did not take long for the tourists to fight back after the break as they managed to draw the scores towards the end.
However, a few silly mistakes and a couple of misses by Marnitz Boshoff saw the Lions stumble at the final hurdle.
It was up to Boshoff to kick a final penalty to tie up the game and force extra time, but it sailed wide as Province celebrated.
We rate the Golden Lions
15 Jaco van der Walt
Look like he most deadly threat in open play for the Lions, hard to put down and intelligent in his play – scored a great try.
8/10
14 Ruan Combrinck
A calm and cool head on the wing, he did everything right and look a threat when he got ball in hand.
7/10
13 Lionel Mapoe
Missed a few crucial tackles (the one that led to the try) but was busy of defence none the less.
6/10
12 Howard Mnisi
Attacked the line really well and was abrasive in defence, seemed to be the real spear head of the Lions backline.
8/10
11 Courtnall Skosan
Limited chances but when he did get a chance to run looked pacey and direct, left a few defenders beaten.
7/10
10 Marnitz Boshoff
A real up and down game, a terrible night with the boot and his decision making was very sporadic.
4/10
9 Ross Cronje
Slow and full of mistakes, his kicking was also very ineffective.
5/10
8 Warren Whiteley (captain)
Grafted hard as he always does and was important in the line outs, always a big player and this time was no different .
7/10
7 Derick Minnie
He worked hard towards the ball with the lack of a competing opensider and put in a few decent runs and tackles.
7/10
6 Jaco Kriel
Full of energy, but that is not surprising, was also very effective in his carries wriggling through a few tackles and making good yards.
8/10
5 Franco Mostert
Tried to add some grunt to the pack and at the break down, was not great in the line outs but led the forwards well.
6/10
4 Martin Muller
A decent line out option and worked hard when it came to the gritty stuff, did not shy away from the hard work.
7/10
3 Ruan Dreyer
Again, a massive scrumming performance from the rock of the Lions famed scrum.
8/10
2 Robbie Coetzee
Effected a few crucial steals and was dependable at the line out throws – a solid game.
6/10
1 Schalk van der Merwe
Obviously was impressive in the scrum but he was incredibly busy in the loose, carrying and tackling all day.
8/10
Replacements:
16 Armand van der Merwe (on for Coetzee, 59 mins)
Looked bustling with energy but did not get as many chances as he would have liked
6/10
17 Julian Redelinghuys (On for Dreyer, 53 mins)
Carried on the good work in the scrum but was quiet around the park
6/10
18 Willie Britz (on for Muller, 65 mins)
Had a few good carries as he came on but was not as much as an impact as would have been expected
5/10
19 Warwick Tecklenburg (on for Minnie, 63 mins)
Added some bulk and ball carrying to the Lions with some fresh legs
7/10
20 Albertus Smith (on for Kriel, 63 mins)
Came on and got penalised and caused an obstruction but was very busy and involved after that.
6/10
21 Mark Richards (on for Cronje, 75 mins)
Not enough time to be rated.
22 Harold Vorster (on for Voster, 66 mins)
When he was on attack he looked good, evading defenders, but by that stage the game was too tight to release him.
6/10
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