A famous catfight - Lions vs Cheetahs

When they were Transvaal and Orange Free State

It was the first final of the Lions Cup and Free Sate were the first winners, beating Transvaal at the brand new Ellis Park 24-12.

The Lion Cup was a knock-out competition designed to give the provinces more to play for in the days of few Tests and tours.

The Currie Cup champions, Western Province  were knocked out when they went to Witbank and lost 24-19 to South Eastern Transvaal on their rock-hard field. That opened the door for Free State who beat Boland, Northern Free Sate and South Eastern Transvaal.

Transvaal had had a tougher journey to the final, beating South West Africa, Natal and Northern Transvaal

(The only names still remaining are Western Province and Boland though they have a Cavaliers tag.)

Because it was the first final the older union had the home ground advantage, and so the match was played at Ellis Park, on 17 September 1983.

Two days before the match the father of Springboks Joggie and Eben Jansen died, and Eben was down to play on the flank in the match. He played.

The match was the fifth between the two provinces – such was the nature of provincial rugby at the time. Up till then Transvaal had won two, Free State one and one was drawn.

For the first time since 1924 Orange Free State played in orange jersey, not in their usual white.

The three Bartmann brothers played for Transvaal – François, Leon and Wahl who later became a Springbok.

Free State had Klippies Kritzinger at lock, the big Springbok who had played for five provinces – Transvaal, Natal, Free State, Northern Free State and Western Transvaal. This was his last match at the age of 35.

Early in the match Transvaal lost Hempas Rademeyer who was replaced by Norman Bayvel. Those were the days when teams were allowed only two replacements and then only in the case of injury which a doctor had to certify..For Free State Japie Wessels replaced André Cloete.

There was just one try in the match, scored by Zillen Roos. The rest belonged to the boot – a drop by Hansie Dirksen and 17 points for the booming boot of De Wet Ras against the 12 of Robbie Blair, Transvaal's left-footed flyhalf. There were four dropped goals in the match – three for Free State and one for Transvaal.

Free State scrummed well, Rudie Visagie dominated the line-outs and the Free State loose forwards had a field day.

At half-time Free State led 12-9.

Eben Jansen was named Man of the Match.

Scorers:

For Orange Free State:
Try: Roos
Con: Ras
Pens: Ras 3
Drops: Ras 2, Dirksen

For Transvaal:
Pens: Blair 3
Drop: Blair

Teams:

Transvaal: Liaan Kirkham, Leon Piek, Dries Maritz, Deon Thierson, Hempas Rademeyer, Robbie Blair, John Robbie, Tollie Oosthuizen, Leon Bartmann, Wahl Bartmann, Graham Noonan, Wynand Pretorius, François Bartmann, Chris Rodgers, Ockie Oosthuizen (captain)

Orange Free State: Gysie Pienaar, Jaco Reinach, Zillen Roos, Hansie Dirksen, Jan du Toit, De Wet Ras, Barry Wolmarans, Eben Jansen, André Cloete, Gerrie Sonnekus (captain), Klippies Kritzinger, Rudie Visagie, Bees Steyn, Wessel Lightfoot, Barabas Venter.:

Referee: Cassie Carstens (Northern Transvaal)