Golden Lions thump Province in Currie Cup

The Golden Lions made their Currie Cup title intentions clear by hammering the defending champion Western Province side 62-32 at Ellis Park in Johannesburg.

The Lions showed intent straight from the kick-off and for the rest of the first half Province were swept away and unable to stop the onslaught on their defence which conceded five tries in the opening 40 minutes. The followed up with four more tries in the second half.

The Lions started in spectacular fashion as they tested the Province defence with barnstorming runs which were hard to contain.

Their ball carrier was never lost for supporting runners and the ploy was worked wonderfully because by the time the halftime whistle sounded the Lions had snatched five tries, four of which were converted by flyhalf Marnitz Boshoff, who also goaled a third-minute penalty.

Province’s defence failed to cope with the wave of attacks and they sprung regular leaks which proved costly.

On the occasions that Province managed to reverse the flow of the match, they came good but their effort was not enough to stay in contention on the scoreboard.

Lock Lourens Erasmus (12th min), hooker Malcolm Marx (14th), Boshoff (22nd) lock Franco Mostert (29th) and centre Howard Mnisi (36th) scored tries for the Lions.

Province responded with tries by flanker Sikhumbuzo Notshe (33rd) and centre Johnny Kotze (38th). Flyhalf Robert du Preez was in splendid form from the kicking tee, converting both tries as well as two penalties in Province’s 20-point first-half haul.

When the teams returned for second-half play, the Lions needed only 10 minutes to finally settle the match as a contest as they ran in two unanswered tries, one of which was converted by Marnitz. The 12-point surge took the scoreline out from 36-20 to 48-20 which gave the Lions a commanding 28-point lead.

Towards the end of the match, Lions’ replacements Kwagga Smith (67th, try), Stokkies Hanekom (76th, try) and Jaco van der Walt (2 conversions) took the Lions’ score well beyond the 50-point mark.

In between these two tries, Province scored a third try (unconverted) through Notshe, and on the stroke of time scrumhalf Nic Groom darted in for the bonus-point try. Du Preez was on target with one conversion to round off the scoring in the match at 62-32.

Final Score Golden Lions 62 (36) Western Province 32 (20)

Scorers

Golden Lions
Tries: Lourens Erasmus, Malcolm Marx, Marnitz Boshoff, Franco Mostert, Howard Mnisi, Andries Coetzee, Anthonie Volmink, Kwagga Smith, Stokkies Hanekom.
Conversions: Boshoff (5), Jaco van der Walt (2).
Penalty: Boshoff

Western Province
Tries: Sikhumbuzo Notshe (2), Johnny Kotze, Nic Groom
Conversions: Robert du Preez (3)
Penalties: Du Preez(2)

Match Officials
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen

Teams

Golden Lions: 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Courtnall Skosan, 13 Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 12 Howard Mnisi, 11 Anthony Volmink, 10 Marnitz Boshoff, 9 Ross Cronje, 8 Warren Whiteley, 7 Stephan de Witt, 6 Jaco Kriel (c), 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Lourens Erasmus, 3 Julian Redelinghuys, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Dylan Smith.

Replacements: 16 Mark Pretorius, 17 Ruan Dreyer, 18 Fabian Booysen, 19 Albertus Smith, 20 Jaco van der Walt, 21 Stokkies Hanekom, 22 Sampie Mastriet

Western Province: 15 Cheslin Kolbe, 14 Kobus van Wyk, 13 Johnny Kotze, 12 Juan de Jongh (c), 11 Seabelo Senatla, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Nic Groom, 8 Nizaam Carr, 7 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 6 Chris Cloete, 5 Ruan Botha, 4 Jean Kleyn, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Steven Kitshoff

Replacements: 16 Michael Willemse, 17 Oli Kebble, 18 Chris van Zyl, 19 Jurie van Vuuren, 20 Godlen Masimla, 21 Kurt Coleman, 22 Huw Jones