Golden Lions dispatch the Pumas

The Golden Lions continued their stride into the 2015 Currie Cup when they met the Pumas at home on 14 August.

The cat fight began with the Pumas showing some intent. The Lions struggled to gain momentum in the first 10 minutes but Marnitz Boshoff managed to capitalise first with a 50-metre drop goal. The Pumas replied with a brave line-out off a penalty and Pumas stand-out player Marnus Schoeman went over in the corner.

The luck ran out for the Pumas after this, however, as Harold Vorster went in under the posts after a botched Puma counter-attack attempt and the Lions were awarded their first of two penalty tries after a strong scrum. The teams went into the locker rooms at 20–10.

The second half was filled with points but was by no means a pristine display of rugby. The Pumas managed to claw their way back to 27–27 but to no avail, as flyhalf JC Roos knocked down a pass resulting in a penalty try and a send-off for him. The Lions were hit with two yellow cards themselves, bringing them down to 13 men but by then the match had been won and the charged but messy occasion was closed at a flattering 44–27.

Though the Pumas played with heart, the continued hoists from Roos looked directionless and the Pumas seemed out of options for most of the match. The Lions were able to score from their opportunities and kept the Pumas on the back foot throughout the game. The Lions were lacking their attacking flare, however, possibly missing the effect of Faf de Klerk, who played excellently back in his Puma colours.

Lions fans should feel good to have beaten a full-force Pumas team that starts notoriously well in their Currie Cup campaigns, but the form from Super Rugby is still behind the Lions. Jaco Kriel has taken on the captaincy, which might have an impact on his game-winning performances, and Ross Cronjé still needs to find consistency in his game now that he is once again the starting scrumhalf.

Positives include the sensational form of Vorster leading a threatening batch of centres including the talents of Howard Mnisi and fellow try-scorer, Stokkies Hanekom. Coach Johan Ackermann will surely take both positives and negatives from the clash but the Lions look on track to be a serious contender once again in the Currie Cup.

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