The Lions edged closer to claiming the Vodacom URC South African Shield and strengthened their top-eight ambitions with a composed and courageous 24-10 victory over the DHL Stormers at Ellis Park on Saturday.
The Johannesburg outfit combined sharp tactical execution with resilient defence to secure four valuable log points, moving three clear at the top of the local Shield standings.
After also collecting five points against the Sharks the previous week, the Lions now sit in pole position in the South African (SA) derby race. Their nearest challengers require favourable results elsewhere to deny them the secondary trophy awarded to the best-performing SA side in this phase of the competition.
Whilst the Shield remains within reach, the bigger picture may be even more significant. The win leaves the Lions firmly entrenched in the URC’s top eight and just three points behind the Stormers, who earlier in the campaign looked untouchable at the summit but are now battling to steady their season.
Tactical control sets the platform
The hosts laid the foundation early by dominating the aerial exchanges. Scrum-half Morné van den Berg orchestrated proceedings expertly, repeatedly turning the Stormers around and forcing errors in the backfield.
The breakthrough came in the second quarter. A well-weighted box kick from Van den Berg was contested in the air by former Stormers wing Angelo Davids, whose work created space for Siba Mahashe. The lively flanker showed pace and composure to race clear and score from distance. Chris Smith converted to give the Lions a 7-0 lead.
Four minutes later, the advantage doubled. Pressure from another kick forced uncertainty in the visitors’ defence, and centre Henco van Wyk capitalised, finishing between the posts. Smith again added the extras to make it 14-0.
The Stormers attempted to respond and enjoyed phases of territorial dominance, but their momentum was repeatedly undone by handling errors. Wandisile Simelane appeared to have crossed midway through the first half, only for referee Christopher Allison to rule that he had been held up.
There was further frustration for the Cape side before the interval. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu missed touch with a penalty whilst attacking, and Smith — usually reliable from the tee — squandered a late opportunity to extend the Lions’ lead.
Second-half resolve proves decisive
The Stormers emerged after the break with greater intent and were rewarded when Feinberg-Mngomezulu slotted a penalty to open their account. However, the Lions struck back swiftly. Replacement Erich Cronjé featured prominently in a flowing movement and finished strongly for the home side’s third try. Smith maintained his perfect record with the boot to stretch the lead to 21-3.
John Dobson turned to his bench in search of a revival, and the Stormers’ scrum began to gain ascendancy. A driving maul close to the line saw Marcel Theunissen force his way over, but the try was disallowed after the TMO ruled that Evan Roos had obstructed in the build-up.
The visitors eventually broke through when captain JD Schickerling powered across for their only try, converted by Feinberg-Mngomezulu to cut the deficit to 11 points.
Any hopes of a late comeback were dented when Smith calmly slotted a penalty early in the final quarter to restore a 14-point cushion.
The closing stages were defined by sustained Stormers pressure. The Lions were reduced to 13 men following two yellow cards for high tackles — one later upgraded to red — and were forced to absorb wave after wave of attack. On several occasions the visitors were held up over the try line as the hosts produced a defensive effort of grit and discipline to protect their lead.
Despite enjoying the bulk of territory and possession in the second half, the Stormers were unable to convert pressure into points. Their error count and decision-making once again proved costly — a marked contrast to the composure they displayed earlier in the season.
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For the Lions, however, the afternoon reflected a side growing in confidence and clarity. Tactical precision in the first half and collective bravery in the second ensured a result that not only keeps Shield silverware within touching distance, but also reinforces their credentials as genuine contenders in the wider URC race.
Scorers
- Lions 24
Tries: Siba Mahashe, Henco van Wyk, Erich Cronjé. Conversions: Chris Smith (3). Penalty: Smith. - Stormers 10
Try: JD Schickerling. Conversion: Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu. Penalty: Feinberg-Mngomezulu.
This article was compiled from reports by SuperSport and SA Rugby Mag.
