Xerox Golden Lions book Currie Cup semi-final spot

2018-10-13

The Xerox Golden Lions beat the iCOLLEGE Pumas 33-21 (halftime 21-14) with a bonus point, in their Currie Cup Premier Division match at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit on Friday.

As a result of the five-try outcome, the Lions moved into third position on the table tied with the second-placed Sharks, but slightly behind on points difference.

The visitors got off to a quick start as centre Lionel Mapoe intercepted a poor pass from scrumhalf Stefan Ungerer in the second minute and sprinted through to score under the posts untouched. Jantjies added the extra two points.

Three minutes later it was Devon Williams who timed his run into the Pumas back line to perfection to collect the final pass and score for flyhalf Chris Smith to convert and level the scores. The Lions were back in front when hooker Corne Fourie scored from a rolling maul and Jantjies was again on target from the kicking tee.

The Lions, however, were reduced to 14 men on the half hour when centre Howard Mnisi was yellow carded for cynical play.

The Pumas took advantage of the numerical advantage and after a long period of sustained pressure it was their No 8 Francois Kleinhans who crashed over for the score. But once again, the Lions put their noses ahead when Mapoe displayed great feet to lay off to left wing Courtnall Skosan to score. Jantjies’s conversion made it 21-14.

The Pumas were dealt a blow just before halftime when try-scorer Kleinhans was sin-binned and just before he returned after the break, the Lions capitalised when Skosan got in for his second try which secured the bonus point.

The Lions were starting to stamp their authority on the game and this became even more evident when Fourie bundled his way over for his second try of the night on the hour.

Jantjies added the extras and the Lions had one foot in the semifinals at 33-14.

But the Pumas were not about to throw in the towel and came back at the visitors with centre Ryan Nell scoring their third try with 12 minutes remaining.

XEROX GOLDEN LIONS – Tries: Lionel Mapoe, Corne Fourie (2), Courtnall Skosan (2) Conversions: Elton Jantjies (4)

Annemie Bester

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