Lions power past hapless Cheetahs

The Golden Lions secured themselves home ground advantage in the Currie Cup semifinals with an impressive 47-7 win over the Free State Cheetahs at Ellis Park on Saturday.

It will see the Lions host the Sharks in one semifinal at Ellis Park, with Western Province to host the Blue Bulls at Newlands in the other.

As was to be expected, the Lions had a huge advantage in the scrums – winning several penalties.

However, they showed they are so much more than just set-piece bullies – producing exciting attacking play, with some sublime off-loading and angled running.

Not just are they expansive in their approach, they are creative and unpredictable.

The Cheetahs' haphazard defensive patterns struggled to deal with both the style and pace of the Lions' game.

And on attack the Cheetahs also lack real penetration and the patience to consistently test the home team.

The Lions made a late change – with Marnitz Boshoff starting in the No.10 jersey, after being named at fullback, and Jaco van der Walt shifting to the last line of defence.

After an early rush by the Cheetahs, the Lions – courtesy of two penalties in quick succession – the Lions started a maul five metres from the opposition's line and Jaco Kriel got the armchair ride over the line, even though the TMO had a couple of looks before confirming the try. Boshoff added the extras – 7-0.

Just past the 10-minute mark the Lions got their second try, this time working the ball down the right flank – before Derick Minnie sprinted clear and stepped inside Clayton Blommetjies. Boshoff's conversion made it 14-0.

The Cheetahs had their chances – with Teboho Mohoje tackled into touch a metre out and the held up over the line – before a scrum penalty brought some relief to the home team.

Just past the 20-minute mark the Cheetahs were reduced to 14 men, when Springbok Teboho Mohoje was sin-binned for cynically killing the ball in a tackle. Boshoff made it 17-0.

Then, just past the half-hour mark, Boshoff and Ruan Combrinck produced some great interplay, before Combrinck – with a sublime inside-outside run – left Clayton Blommetjies for dead and scored the third try. Boshoff was wide with the conversion attempt, but at 22-0 it left the Cheetahs with a huge mountain to climb.

In the 38th minute a scrum penalty against Caylib Oosthuizen gave B9osshoff a shot at goal, but he was again wide of the mark – as the Lions went into the break still 22-0 up.

The Cheetahs scored the first try after the break, Sarel Pretorius joining a powerful maul near the Lions' line to get his name on the board. Willie du Plessis added the extras – 7-22.

However, the Lions wrapped up the bonus point almost from the restart, a great touchfinder by Boshoff and a powerful maul giving Warwick Tecklenburg an armchair ride. Boshoff was again wide with the conversion – 27-7.

Going into the final quarter Boshoff had a shot at goal from 45 metres out on the angle, making it 30-7. Just short of the 68-minute mark that became 33-7, after yet another powerful Lions scrum.

Seven minutes from time Howard Mnisi went over for a well-worked try, as forwards and back combined well, with Boshoff taking them to 40-7.

Then replacement hooker Armand van der Merwe barged over for the sixth try, Boshoff's conversion making it 47-7 with just on three minutes remaining.

And that is how it finished!

Man of the match: Teboho Mohoje and Lodewyk de Jager made valiant attempts, but did not always have the support of their teammates. Raymond Rhule also had his best game of the season. Howard Mnisi relished the opportunity to start and get some extra game time. Scrumhalf Ross Cronjé's service may not always be the most clinical, but his work on defence was immense. You can also look at the work of Derick Minnie and Warren Whiteley at the breakdown and in open play, the power of the front row and the workrate of Franco Mostert and Martin Muller. However, our award goes to Lions flank Jaco Kriel, even though he was replaced early in the second half. His ability to break tackles and his amazing handling skills make him one of the most exciting players in the country.

The scorers:

For the Golden Lions:

Tries: Kriel, Minnie, Combrinck, Tecklenburg, Mnisi, Van der Merwe

Cons: Boshoff 4

Pens: Boshoff 3

For the Free State Cheetahs:

Try: Pretorius

Con: Du Plessis

Yellow card: Teboho Mohoje (Free State Cheetahs, 22 – professional foul, cynically killing the ball)

Teams:

Golden Lions: 15 Jaco van der Walt, 14 Ruan Combrinck, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Howard Mnisi, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Marnitz Boshoff, 9 Ross Cronje, 8 Warren Whiteley (captain), 7 Derick Minnie, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Martin Muller, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Robbie Coetzee, 1 Schalk van der Merwe.

Replacements: 16 Armand van der Merwe, 17 Jacques van Rooyen, 18 Julian Redelinghuys, 19 Willie Britz, 20 Warwick Tecklenburg, 21 Mark Richards.

Free State Cheetahs: 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Adriaan Coertzen, 13 Phillipus du Plessis, 12 Joubert Engelbrecht, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Willie du Plessis, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Pieter Labuschagne, 7 Teboho Mohojé, 6 Tienie Burger, 5 Francois Uys, 4 Lodewyk de Jager, 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Torsten van Jaarsveld (captain), 1 Caylib Oosthuizen.

Replacements: 16 Hercu Liebenberg, 17 George Marich, 18 Henco Venter, 19 Neil Claassen, 20 Shaun Venter, 21 Pieter-Steyn de Wet, 22 Maphutha Dolo.

Referee: Stuart Berry

Assistant referees: Ben Crouse, Francois de Bruin

TMO: Johan Greeff