Rampant MTN Golden Lions outplay Sharks to claim Currie Cup

October 29 - A brilliant MTN Golden Lions side outplayed the Sharks 42-16 in the Absa Currie Cup final at Coca-Cola Park on Saturday for their first home win in a final in 61 years since 1950 in a match packed with skill, pace, aggression and drama.

Log leaders from the early stages of the competition, this was a deserved win for the underrated home side who were given just an outside chance against a side starting with 13 internationals.

Star of the Lions show was undoubtedly flyhalf Elton Jantjies. Brilliant with ball in hand, with his options almost always the right one, he directed his backline and forwards like a veteran – and in addition he kicked 24 points that included a drop goal, three conversions and five penalties. It is the second most points yet in a final after Derick Hougaard’s 26 for the Blue Bulls when they beat the Lions in 2002 – the last time the Lions played a home final.

Eight shots at goal, some from distance and at angles, from eight attempts tell the story of a night that must now have convinced the sceptics about Jantjies’ potential - and then there was also his drop goal and a break that put his forwards in command on the Sharks line before Patric Cilliers went over from the ruck.

The seven-Bok Sharks pack had the better of the scrums and especially from just before halftime when the Lions lost their prop CJ van der Linde to a yellow card for an over-exuberant rucking offence, and they kept up the scrum pressure after the Bok prop’s return. In his absence, however, the Sharks didn’t add any points despite winning two Lions lineouts because of the disruption of a supporting prop off the field.

On two occasions in the first half only sheer guts and discipline kept the Sharks from the Lions tryline, and the home side deservedly went into halftime 13 points ahead at 19-6 as they used their chances and repelled the Sharks attacks.

With Jantjies kicking immaculately their first-half tally consisted of three penalty goals by the young flyhalf, and a 57 metre monster from Jaco Taute. But while this kicking display, added to the Lions general play, set up the big halftime lead the try by Lions left wing Michael Killian was a gem.

Coming from a scrum, Doppies la Grange made a mockery of the Sharks midfield defence on a 30 metre run before putting Killian through.

Ironically the Sharks scored just after the return through a penalty by Frederic Michalak to shrink the lead to 19-9, which was stretched back to nine points by another concerted sortie by the Lions which set up a coolly taken drop by Jantjies (22-9).

It became a precarious lead when assistant referee Christie du Preez missed a blatant knock-on by the Sharks and waved on play when questioned by referee Mark Lawrence. Willem Alberts, who had stopped, then trotted over when waved ahead to score under the posts (22-16).

However, then came the Lions at their rampant best as they ran from all over, won turnovers and also drove the Sharks back when it mattered. A converted try by prop Patric Cilliers following another Jantjies penalty and then another penalty before Taute’s breathtaking try made it 42-16.

The try, with a clever set move in midfield and Taute linking well with Killian who had made the break down the middle, settled the result at 42-16 – and the Lions were kings again in their own lair, for the first time in 61 years.

Scorers:

MTN Golden Lions: Tries: Michael Killian, Patric Cilliers, Jaco Taute. Conversions: Elton Jantjies (3). Penalties: Jantjies (5), Taute. Drop goal: Jantjies.

Sharks: try: Willem Alberts. Conversion: Frederic Michalak. Penalties: Michalak (3).