Boland flex their muscles in win over Lions

MATCH REPORT: Boland increased their chances of making the Currie Cup play-offs after they recorded a 29-10 bonus-point win against the Lions in Round Three in Wellington.

It’s their second home win of the campaign after they edged the Cheetahs 37-35 in Round One before going down 39-48 to Griquas in Kimberley in Round Two.

Boland are now level on points (11) with the Pumas and the Cheetahs at the top of the Currie Cup standings.

For the Lions, it was their first defeat of the tournament after home wins against the Sharks and Western Province in the opening two rounds.

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The Lions were camped inside Boland’s 22 in the opening minutes, and the pressure resulted in a yellow card for centre Lunathi Nxele in the fifth minute for his side’s repeated infringements.

Despite being down to 14 men, Boland opened the scoring in the ninth minute when wing Donavan Don was put into space down the touchline to race away for a try. It all stemmed from a couple of powerful driving mauls in the build-up.

The Lions eventually opened their account in the 20th minute after flyhalf Kade Wolhuter found some space to race in for a try after sustained pressure inside Boland’s half.

Boland eventually regained the lead in the 27th minute with James Tedder adding a three-pointer after the home side won a penalty after showing great patience with ball in hand.

The hosts extended the lead in the 32nd minute after some magic by Ashlon Davids down the blindside.

The flyhalf managed to beat the first defender before feeding the ball to Don, who raced away for his second try of the game.

It was then Lions’ turn to be reduced to 14 men after Nico Steyn received a yellow card in the 35th minute for some cynical play on the ground.

At half-time, it was 15-5 to Boland.

The Lions applied plenty of pressure in the early stages of the second half, and it led to James Tedder being sent to the sin-bin in the 48th minute for playing the ball on the ground.

The visitors eventually made the man advantage count 10 minutes later when some neat offloads led to Gianni Lombard going over in the corner for his team’s second try.

However, some magic from Tedder allowed Boland to get some breathing space again in the 67th minute.

The fullback chipped and gathered the ball inside the Lions’ half before producing a brilliant inside pass to wing Xavier Mitchell, who ran in for his team’s third try.

Despite the time being up on the clock, Boland were going all out to secure the bonus point, and they eventually got it in the 85th minute when replacement Juan Mostert went over for a try after multiple phases.

Man of the match: The award goes to Boland hooker Sidney Tobias, who produced a gritty performance in the physical exchanges.

The scorers:

For Boland:
Tries: Don 2, Mitchell, Mostert
Cons: Tedder 3
Pen: Tedder

For Lions:
Tries: Wolhuter, Lombard

Yellow cards: Lunathi Nxele (Boland, 5′ – repeated infringements, offside); Nico Steyn (Lions, 35′ – cynical play, slowing the ball down); James Tedder (Boland, 48′ – cynical play, playing the ball on the ground)

Teams:

Boland Cavaliers: 15 James Tedder, 14 Donavan Don, 13 David Brits, 12 Lunathi Nxele, 11 Xavier Mitchell, 10 Ashlon Davids (vice-captain), 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 Thurlow Marsh, 7 Ludio Williams, 6 Sauliegh Arendse, 5 Marlyn Williams (captain), 4 Michael Benadie, 3 Dayan van der Westhuizen, 2 Sidney Tobias, 1 Wayrin Losper
Replacements: 16 HP van Schoor, 17 Mthokozisi Gumede, 18 Laurence Victor, 19 Ameer Hendricks, 20 Khwezi Mafu, 21 Chriswill September, 22 Juan Mostert, 23 Erik Lambrecht

Lions: 15 Gianni Lombard, 14 Angelo Davids, 13 Manuel Rass, 12 Rynhardt Jonker, 11 Kelly Mpeku, 10 Kade Wolhuter, 9 Nico Steyn, 8 WJ Steenkamp, 7 Siba Qoma, 6 Jarod Cairns, 5 Raynard Roets, 4 Dylan Sjoblom, 3 RF Schoeman, 2 Jaco Visagie (captain), 1 SJ Kotze.
Replacements: 16 Franco Marais, 17 Juan Schoeman, 18 Stian de Bruyn, 19 Johnre Stopforth, 20 Luca Ribbens, 21 Renzo du Plessis, 22 Layton Horn, 23 Bronson Mills

Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen
Assistant referees: Dylan November, Zoe Naude
TMO: Cwengile Jadezweni