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General view of Golden Lions during the Carling Currie Cup match between Tafel Lager Griquas and Xerox Golden Lions XV at Tafel Lager Park in Kimberley, South Africa. (Photo by Frikkie Kapp / Gallo Images)
the Lions produced a timely burst to get a crucial opening Currie Cup victory over an unfortunate Griquas in Kimberley on Saturday.
When the storm warnings that had been issued for central South Africa came in the 48th minute, Doornfontein’s men were 20-17 ahead, enough to award them match points.
SA Rugby regulations state that there is a 30 minute grace period for lightning to subside within a safe distance, but, as was the case in the Bulls’ 39-6 victory over the Stormers in Super Rugby Unlocked, there was not enough time.
While Griquas could rightly argue that they still had more than half an hour to regain the initiative they so nobly won in the first 30 minutes, they were under heavy pressure.
The Lions midfielder and captain Elton Jantjies had thrown a superb start to the second half, giving their team a platform to camp in the hosts’ red zone.
Griquas’ defense, which had been strong but consistently offside, conceded another penalty and a powerful push from the entire Lions group was enough for referee Marius van der Westhuizen to award a try penalty.
In hindsight, that vital marker was simply an extension of the Lions’ rise in the final minutes of the first half.
In the 36th minute, they went to touch to allow a baseline move to be launched that seemed to break when Griquas wing Daniel Kasende nearly intercepted.
However, Jantjies was able to quickly recover and play to replace fullback Tiaan Swanepoel, who released wing Courtnall Skosan for a try in the left corner.
Clearly inspired after their poor start, the Lions continued to play for nearly five minutes after the horn sounded as the Peacock Blues defense continually infringed, eventually leading to Skosan’s second try.
However, before the scoring ended late, their hosts did their best for their 17-3 lead after 29 minutes.
Griquas was energetic on breakdowns and at least three times exploded some of the Lions’ loose ball protection as he wrenched possession from the arms.
An early interception put Lions running back Morne van der Berg under pressure, who held out too long.
From the resulting penalty, Griquas produced a powerful sledgehammer to step over the lime and land the first blow.
Scrumhalf and Captain Zak Burger then made a decisive break that led to wing Eduan Keyter joining in.
However, the highlight of the locals’ incisive counterattack play was a try from fullback James Verity-Amm.
After a poor punt from Jantjies, blind side flank Stefan Willemse broke two tackles to create room for Keyter to run to his pass before Burger was available again to make the touchdown pass.
But their lack of possession and territory began to affect them as the penalty count increased and the Lions began to rebound.
Scorers:
Griquas – (17)
Attempts: HJ Luus, Eduan Keyter, James Verity-Amm
Conversion: Tinus de Beer
Lions – (20)
Attempts: Courtnall Skosan (2), penalty test.
Penalty: Jantjies
