Lions spoil Os & Naka's party

The Lions spoiled Cheetahs coaches Naka Drotské and Os du Randt's Bloemfontein farewell, with a comprehensive 40-17 victory on Saturday.

The four tries to two bonus-point triumph ensured that the Lions retain their hope of reaching the Super Rugby play-offs for the first time since their split from the Cheetahs 10 years ago.

However, for Drotské and Du Randt it was a sad farewell to the Free State Stadium – with Drotské retiring after next week's away game to the Stormers and Du Randt heading to Japan next month.

The highlight of their long spell in charge was steering the Cheetahs to the Super Rugby play-offs two years ago.

Flawless goal-kicking by flyhalf Elton Jantjies, good handling by backs and forwards, and powerful scrummaging were key factors in the comfortable success.  

The Lions host the Australian Waratahs next weekend before visiting compatriots the Stormers in their final league game and two victories could see them through to the knock-out stages.

Flank Jaco Kriel, centre Lionel Mapoe, wing Courtnall Skosan and scrumhalf Francois de Klerk scored a try each for the Lions, who led 23-3 at half-time in perfect late South African autumn conditions.

And Jantjies was back to his best goal-kicking form, not missing a shot as he slotted four conversions and four penalties for a 20-point contribution.

Flank Johannes Prinsloo scored two tries for the Cheetahs and replacement back Coenie van Wyk converted both.

A penalty from flyhalf Francois Brummer gave the hosts a seventh-minute lead that did not last long.

Jantjies kicked two penalties to give the visitors an advantage they never surrendered and Kriel claimed the opening try on 26 minutes after a driving maul off a line-out.

Another Jantjies penalty stretched the lead to 16-3 before the try of the match was scored in first-half stoppage time.

Numerous Lions handled the ball in a sweeping movement before a De Klerk dummy created space for Mapoe to burst through.

A Kriel off-load sent Skosan clear for the third try before the Lions were temporarily reduced to 14 men when hooker Robbie Coetzee was sin-binned for a late, dangerous tackle.

Prinsloo gave Cheetahs supporters a rare opportunity to cheer with the first of his two pushover tries before the Lions got their bonus-point fourth try on 66 minutes.  

Powerful running and skilful handling brought the Lions close to the try-line and when De Klerk was held just short, he dotted the ball down with an outstretched hand.

Man of the match:  Clayton Blommetjies was the one Cheetahs backline player that looked threatening with ball in hand, while flank Johannes Prinsloo was the home team's most productive forward. Andries Coetzee was a constant threat, Howard Mnisi showed he deserves more starting opportunities, Lionel Mapoe showed he can be an asset to the Springboks at the World Cup and Francois de Klerk was at his most brilliant best behind the Lions pack. Flanks Warwick Tecklenburg and Jaco Kriel is never far away from this award, while the Lions scrum was again a good weapon. However, our award goes to the team's two most consistent players – flyhalf Elton Jantjies, for his near flawless control, and captain Warren Whiteley, for again showing his sublime skills and enormous workrate.

The scorers:

For the Cheetahs:

Tries: Prinsloo 2

Cons: Van Wyk 2

Pens: Brummer

For the Lions:

Tries: Kriel, Mapoe, Skosan, De Klerk

Cons: Jantjies 4

Pens: Jantjies 4

Yellow card: Robbie Coetzee (Lions, 49 – foul play, spear tackle)

Teams:

Cheetahs: 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Cornal Hendricks, 13 Francois Venter, 12 Michael van der Spuy, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Francois Brummer, 9 Tian Meyer, 8 Willie Britz, 7 Johannes Prinsloo, 6 Carel Greeff, 5 Francois Uys (captain), 4 Carl Wegner, 3 Nicolaas van Dyk, 2 Torsten van Jaarsveld, 1 Danie Minnie.

Replacements: 16 Stephan Coetzee, 17 Burrie Uys, 18 Ewald van der Westhuizen, 19 Steven Sykes, 20 Henco Venter, 21 Shaun Venter, 22 Coenie van Wyk, 23 Rayno Benjamin.

Lions: 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Ruan Combrinck, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Howard Mnisi, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Francois de Klerk, 8 Warren Whiteley (captain), 7 Warwick Tecklenburg, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Martin Muller, 4 Andries Ferreira, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Robbie Coetzee, 1 Jacques van Rooyen.

Replacements: 16 Armand van der Merwe, 17 Schalk van der Merwe, 18 Julian Redelinghuys, 19 Robert Kruger, 20 Albertus Smith, 21 Ross Cronje, 22 Jaco van der Walt, 23 Harold Vorster.

Referee: Jaco van Heerden (South Africa)

Assistant referees: Jaco Peyper (South Africa), Lourens van der Merwe (South Africa)

TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)