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Wandisile Simelane of Golden Lions during the Carling Currie Cup match between Toyota Cheetahs and Xerox Golden Lions XV at Toyota Stadium on December 12, 2020 in Bloemfontein, South Africa. (Photo by Frikkie Kapp / Gallo Images)
If there was any doubt that the Lions will fight in the slower conditions of the PRO16 next year, its excellent 39-23 victory over him Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Saturday will help dispel them.
How it happened | Cheetahs v lions
Of course, the conditions in the city of Roses were ideal for scoring points regularly, but head coach Ivan van Rooyen will be really pleased with the way this victory was achieved.
Criticized as underpowered and unbalanced the past two seasons, playing an attacking game that lacks the necessary grunt up front, the Lions showed a compelling new side to their game.
Five attempts confirmed that they have not lost their attacking advantage, although it was notable that they used power and precision rather than excessive style.
The Lions dominated set pieces, monopolized possession and gave themselves an extra boost by hitting collisions.
That growl was evident on at least three of his cover-up visits, particularly in the crucial moments before halftime when a patient phase play from a lineout allowed Willem Alberts, who did justice to his nickname of ‘Bone Collector. ‘ in this game. – to shoot, giving them a vital advantage.
Clearly inspired, the Lions embarked on a 10-minute blitz after the trade that gave three tries and essentially made the game safe.
Flank Jaco Kriel’s brilliant run down the wing set up the first of scrum-half Andre Warner’s attempts, before a sublime volley from captain and pivot Elton Jantjies released Alberts again to feed Warner minutes later.
But the highlight was an uncommon score for veteran hard-headed Jannie du Plessis.
After the initial blast from boisterous blinsider Vince Tshituka, fullback Tiaan Swanepoel broke the line, a race that was kept alive and put into overdrive thanks to excellent interaction from Tshituka and Sti Sithole, who passed his partner in the first. row.
Lock Marvin Orie secured the victory after turning around in the 63rd minute.
It was a demoralizing afternoon for the Cheetahs, who failed to get their hands on the ball and were paralyzed by a litany of penalties.
Two attempts in the second half gave the scoreboard a semblance of respectability, but the reality is that Hawies Fourie’s troops as a group of men ripped apart by a year of setbacks.
Scorers:
Cheetahs – 23 (9)
Attempts: Ruben de Haas, Marnus van der Merwe
Conversion: Tian Schoeman, Frans Steyn
Penalties: Schoeman (2), Steyn
Lions – 39 (13)
Attempts: Andre Warner (2), Willem Alberts, Jannie du Plessis, Marvin Orie
Conversion: Elton Jantjies (4)
Penalties: Jantjies (2)
Teams:
Cheetahs
15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 William Small-Smith, 13 Howard Mnisi, 12 Frans Steyn, 11 Malcolm Jaer, 10 Tian Schoeman, 9 Tian Meyer, 8 Jeandre Rudolph, 7 Aidon Davis, 6 Andisa Ntsila, 5 Carl Wegner (captain), 4 Ian Groenewald, 3 Khutha Mchunu, 2 Jacques du Toit, 1 Boan Venter
Substitutes: 16 Marnus van der Merwe, 17 Cameron Dawson, 18 Erich de Jager, 19 Reniel Hugo, 20 Victor Sekekete, 21 Ruben de Haas, 22 Reinhardt Fortuin, 23 Dries Swanepoel
Lions
15 Tiaan Swanepoel, 14 Stean Pienaar, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Dan Kriel, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Elton Jantjies (captain), 9 Andre Warner, 8 Len Massyn, 7 Vince Tshituka, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Willem Alberts, 4 Marvin Orie , 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Jaco Visagie, 1 Sti Sithole
Substitutes: 16 Jan-Henning Campher, 17 Dylan Smith, 18 Ruan Dreyer, 19 Reinhard Nothnagel, 20 Wilhelm van der Sluys, 21 Morne van den Berg, 22 Mannie Rass, 23 Roelof Smit
