Lions bully Pumas in Currie Cup clash
MATCH REPORT: The Lions recorded an emphatic win over the defending champions and handed them only their second loss in the Currie Cup with their 26-10 victory at Ellis Park on Friday.
The homeside came out blazing and did everything right in this one-sided encounter in wet conditions at their homeground in Johannesburg.
In the 11th minute Manuel Rass crossed the try-line for the first of their four bonus tries. Rass shared the spoils with scrumhalf Morne van den Berg, who had a sterling performance on the night, somewhat marred by his yellow card for foul play.
The pair scored two tries each over a Puma side that could not find their mojo on the night. They struggled in the set phases and the Lions managed to eliminate their familiar maul.
The Lions’ defence was their greatest asset on the night while their interplay was exceptional.
Van den Berg pulled the wool over the Pumas’ eyes, scoring twice with his clever show and go tactic which fooled the defence. The nuggety nine had a good evening on the Park who was busy behind the ruck, but also distributed the ball well.
Nothing seemed to go right for visitors and inaccuracies were their tell tale signs on the night.
The Lions’ bonus point came as Rass scored his second try of the match in the 74th minute.
The Pumas’ only try came in the 81st minute of the game when replacement Brandon Thomson crossed the try line for a converted score.
The Lions move to number five on the log above both Western Province and the Bulls, who face each other on Saturday.
The Pumas are still in the top spot but could be overtaken by the Cheetahs, who should easily dispatch the Griffons.
Scorers:
For the Lions:
Tries: Rass 2, Van den Berg 2
Cons: Lombard 3
For the Pumas:
Try: Thomson
Cons: De Beer
Pens: De Beer
Yellow cards: Morne van den Berg (Lions, 47’, for foul play)
Lions: 15 Andries Coetzee; 14 Prince Nkabine, 13 Manuel Rass, 12 Rynhardt Jonker, 11 Sibahle Maxwane, 10 Gianni Lombard, 9 Morne van den Berg, 8 Francke Horn, 7 Travis Gordon, 6 JC Pretorius, 5 Darrien-Lane Landsberg, 4 Ruben Schoeman, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Jaco Visagie (captain), Rhynhardt Runsburger.
Replacements: 16 Morne Brandon, 17 Kayden Kiewit, 18 Ruan Smith, 19 Raynard Roets, 20 Ruhan Straeuli, 21 Nico Steyn, 22 Vaughen Isaccs, 23 Stean Pienaar.
Pumas: 15 Devon Williams, 14 Jade Stighling, 13 Stefan Coetzee, 12 Ali Mgijima, 11 Lundi Msenge, 10 Tinus de Beer, 9 Giovan Snyman, 8 Ruwald van der Merwe, 7 Andre Fouche, 6 Jaco Labuschagne, 5 Shane Kirkwood (captain), 4 Malembe Mpofu, 3 Njabulo Gumede, 2 Corne Fourie, 1 Cameron Dawson.
Replacements: 16 PJ Jacobs, 17 Etienne Janeke, 18 Simon Raw, 19 Jeandre Leonard, 20 Franna Kleinhans, 21 Chriswill September, 22 Brandon Thomson, 23 Andrew Kota
Referee: AM Jacobs
Assistant Referees: Local
TMO: Archie Sehlako
