Border Bulldogs upset Lions in Currie Cup

The Border Bulldogs stunned the Golden Lions in their Currie Cup encounter with a 27-23 win at Emirates Airline Park in Johannesburg on Friday afternoon.

The East London-based Bulldogs outscored their opponents by two tries to three in a memorable result for the Border men.

Springbok flyhalf Marnitz Boshoff opened the scoring in the fourth minute courtesy of a penalty goal, however, the Bulldogs responded with a three-pointer of their own seven minutes later — flyhalf Oliver Zono levelling proceedings for the Bulldogs.

Bulldogs centre Siphosethu Tom scored the game’s first try when he crossed the whitewash in the 27th minute. Zono added the conversion as the Bulldogs took the lead for the first time in the match.

Zono added his second penalty goal of the afternoon shortly before halftime to stretch the Bulldogs’ lead to double figures. With a try and two penalties, the Bulldogs headed to the sheds 13-3 to the good.

Shortly after the break, the Lions’ replacement scrumhalf, Ricky Schroeder, dived over under the uprights to bring the hosts back into the match. Boshoff converted to bring the Lions to within three points.

However, Border hit back in the 51st minute when winger Makazole Mapimpi crossed the chalk for the Bulldogs’ second score. Fullback Masixole Banda popped over the extra two points to extend the Border lead back to double figures.

A second Boshoff penalty brought the Lions to within a score of the Bulldogs, before lock Lourens Erasmus scored the Lions’ second try. Boshoff converted once again and matters were all square with 15 minutes to play.

Boshoff missed a drop goal in the 72nd minute, but made up for it moments later with his third successful penalty goal attempt four minutes from time.

The Lions seemed to have clutched victory from the jaws of defeat with the Boshoff penalty, however it was not to be as the Bulldogs responded almost immediately with a Wandile Putuma try in the 78th minute.

Replacement flyhalf Bjorn Basson slotted the conversion to take the score to 27-23.

That is how proceedings ended, a phenomenal 27-23 away win for the Border Bulldogs at one of the great stadiums of world rugby.

Final Score Border Bulldogs 27 (13) Golden Lions 23 (3)

Scorers

Lions
Tries: Ricky Schroeder, Lourens Erasmus
Cons: Marnitz Boshoff (2)
Pens: Boshoff (3).

Bulldogs
Tries: Siphosethu Tom, Makazola Mapimpi, Wandile Putuma
Cons: Oliver Zono, Masixole Banda, Logan Basson
Pens: Zono (2)

African News Agency (ANA)