Golden Lions Lift Currie Cup
Oct 29,2011
The MTN Golden Lions' pride weighed heavier than the Sharks' reputation as the hosts lifted the Currie Cup for the first time in 12 years with a 42-16 victory at Coca-Cola Park on Saturday.
Putting their bodies on the line, the Golden Lions won the final at home for the first time since 1950.
The visitors enjoyed the majority of territory and possession but the heroics from the home side on defence made the ultimate difference.
The Golden Lions made the most of the few chances they created.
The trusted boot of 21-year-old flyhalf Elton Jantjies, the Man of the Match, kept the scoreboard ticking over as he succeeded with all the kicks that were entrusted to him.
Jantjies opened the scoring in the third minute of the match with a penalty conversion, while fullback Jaco Taute converted their second penalty goal with a long-range 58-metre kick soon after.
The visitors finally got onto the scoresheet thanks to a Frederic Michalak penalty, but Jantjies slotted another three minutes later as the Golden Lions held on to an early six-point advantage.
While the hosts led, however, the Sharks were dominating proceedings, particularly in the battle of the forwards.
The Sharks pack tirelessly attacked the Golden Lions line in the first quarter of the match.
Their efforts proved fruitless, though, as the hosts overturned the possession and got themselves in a position in which they were awarded a penalty, with Jantjies converting effortlessly.
The game went up a gear in the 26th minute when the Golden Lions finally breached the Sharks' defence.
Receiving a scrum on the halfway line, the home side spread to the left where Doppies la Grange found a gap in the Sharks backline.
He then offloaded to Michael Killian who scored, with Jantjies converting, stretching the gap to 19-3.
Two minutes later the Sharks pulled three points back with a Michalak penalty.
The Golden Lions were dealt a blow in the dying stages of the first half when prop CJ van der Linde was yellow-carded for a dangerous tackle.
His absence, however, did little to slow the Golden Lions' march to victory as the Sharks failed to capitalise on the advantage.
The visitors scored the first points of the second period when Michalak succeeded with a penalty conversion two minutes after the restart.
Jantjies, however, continued his mature performance with a cheeky drop goal off his left boot to take the scores to 22-9.
Referee Mark Lawrence caused some controversy when he allowed a Willem Alberts try which was clearly knocked on.
After some squabbles with the Golden Lions players, Lawrence reverted to assistant referee Christie du Preez who said the ball came off a Golden Lions player's hand.
With Michalak converting, there were only six points separating the two sides with 30 minutes left in the match.
This, however, did not dampen the Golden Lions' spirits as they came back with determination, scoring two more tries to take the game out of the Sharks' hands.
Prop Pat Cilliers dotted down, while Taute hammered in the final nail, darting over for the third and final try of the match with 12 minutes left.
SARugby.com Man of the Match: Elton Jantjies.
Scorers:
MTN Golden Lions - Tries: Michael Killian, Pat Cilliers, Jaco Taute. Conversions: Elton Jantjies (3). Penalties: Jantjies (5), Taute. Drop Goal: Jantjies.
Sharks - Try: Willem Alberts. Conversion: Frederic Michalak. Penalties: Michalak (3).
SAPA
Comments (12)
Oct 29, 2011 at 23:46:43
WOW!
MAn i was so proud when Strauss lifted the cup.
Its been a long, baron road.
Well done to the Lions, Mitch, Ackermann and Spencer.
I hope all the morons who say the Boks must have a local coach can now shut their mouths!
Are the Lion and Sharks sides not South African?
If they are... then why cant the Boks get a Kiwi coach instead of some Dutchman or BEE component who just doesnt have any vision past their nose.
The only worthwhile person would be Rassie... but he'll be fired in his first year because he speaks his mind.
Oct 30, 2011 at 10:32:19
TWAT,, were u so proud when the dutchman strauss lifted the cup! hmore than half ur team r dutchmen,,, without dutchmen we would not have no forwards in sa rugby,,, hope some dutchman gives u a poooooooooooos klap! dickhead!!
Oct 30, 2011 at 10:35:53
but even with muppet fans like u!! gotta say the lions deserved it,, mitchell has done a lot for this side but lets not forget it was the players who won it! was mitchell on the feild getting smashed by the sharkies? glad to seee them back on top!! been a long time since the pienaar/wiese days!! well done julle vaalies!
Oct 30, 2011 at 00:40:49
Chippo, by using the word 'Dutchman' in this negative way are you refering to Afrikaans people in general? If so, then you should know that with a name like Rassie Erasmus the guy is about as Afrikaans as you can get - I'd be careful not to piss off the Boere on this site pal!
Oct 30, 2011 at 09:57:42
You are right, best not to piss them off. l do agree with Chippo, we do need a kiwi coach because the only decent coaches were, mallet and White, and even they werent the greatest. If we had a Kiwi coach the AB's and Wobblies would crap themselves as the boks would be invincible!!!!
Oct 30, 2011 at 10:55:10
Mitchell, say NO! Kidding boys but yeah, bok2011, that would be a nightmare! But I don't think Mitchell will say yes, he has already been tied up and robbed once as a tourist, what would happen if he lost a game or two as Boks coach!
Oct 30, 2011 at 10:56:29
The Lions winning is not a surprise!
Oct 30, 2011 at 13:16:07
You are right Hakwa, SA is a lovely country, but crime there has no respect for human life and l am surprised Mitchell hung on as long as he has? l do really wish we could have a foreign influence, as our players deserve it as much as the likes of the wobs and AB's. Imagine the intensity of the great games that would be played. Bring it on!!!!!
Oct 31, 2011 at 00:50:39
Wow! Well played by the Lions. I never really rated Mitch when he coached the ABs but he has come along nicely in SA. Quite remarkable really that he has taken a team of relatively unknown players and turned them into a formidable group of men capable of upsetting (convincingly) much more highly regarded opposition. Goes to show that team dynamics, espirit de corps, interpersonal relationships, consistent selections, and decent coaching goes a very long way and are crucial elements if an unfancied team is to topple a side full of very capable individuals. I think that may have been the difference on the day. A team with self belief and playing for each other can often beat a side full of brilliant and talented INDIVIDUALS. Look what Tonga managed at the RWC.
Oh well, I have to say that I am glad Mitch isnt available for the Bokke coaching job. I wonder if his obvious (and vindicated) coaching nous would have translated into Bokke success anyway. Too many personalities, egos, political interferance and nepotistic selections for him to have had any great impact. Had he been allowed free reign, carte blanche access to the Bokke I am sure he could have made a real difference but that was/is never going to happen
Its interesting to speculate on the changes Mitch may have/could have made. I doubt he would have been hobbled by sentimental selections. So, Smit would have gone, same with Bakkies and Burger. Keep Matfield for one more year and team him up some young backrowers who he could nurse into the fold and pass on his encyclopedic knowledge and experience. Even Lambie, as talented as he is, may have been ousted/benched by Mitch in favour of Jantjies (@10) or Taute (@15). Afterall, Lambie has been pulled in too many directions and his game has suffered as a consequence of Diddy's indecision. I doubt Mitch would have let Sarel slip through his fingers as Diddy had. Although his defense was woeful, a good coach could have helped Sarel strengthen that area of his game OR accomodated him in a similar manner as Robbie Deans tried (with varied success) with Quade Cooper.
Last year I was a Stormers supporter (after the 'Saders) but I think the Lions must be my new favourite SA'n side. This (CC success) is a great platform for the Lions to build upon and I think they prosper having had fewer disruptions and a level of continuity missing from almost every other Super team in the Republic. Mitch is also fortunate that he isnt bogged down with a group of aging Bokke stars coupled with SARU pressure to play them even when their selctions may have been detrimental to the team. Well done to Lions and Mitch.
Oct 31, 2011 at 08:45:13
I've decided to wait until Super Rugby in 2012 to make my mind up about the Lions newfound contender status. Having said, they played a great game and are deserved Currie Cup champions!
Oct 31, 2011 at 15:04:21
Well done Lions, you guys definately deserved it.
What a humiliating defeat for the sharks, our boys were seriously outplyaed even though the Sharks were having a good go.
Show how much impact team dynamics, playing for one another and the hunger for victory counts in a game like this
Oct 29, 2011 at 20:29:01
Congrats to the Lions and Mitchell what a fantastic job they have all done this year, it is great to have a new contender in the SA set up. I do hope that he can be pesuaded into the Bok job!
Being the last person on this site to support doos Div he has been vindicated (in this game) to play Smit, he is without doubt the better hooker and Bismarck is a great impact player with youth on his side to develop his game. As for the show pony Kankowski........ nuf said