Currie Cup: Lions run riot over Bulls to remain unbeaten

By Ngazibini Siyephu on RUCK Debut, at the University of Johannesburg Stadium

Captain Ruan Delport set the tone early, crossing the line for the first try of the day in just the sixth minute, raising the stakes and establishing the standard for the rest of the match. A penalty advantage soon worked in the Lion’s favour, with Delport sending a clean pass to 21-year-old Morne Venter, another try for the team, inside 20 minutes.

The young energy filled the atmosphere as Mahle Sithole powered over the 33^rd minute after a driving maul, securing the Lions a bonus point. Remarkably, this was only the 19-year-old’s second Currie Cup appearance, his debut against the Pumas.

Momentum carried into the second half, with man of the match Dylan Sjöblom scoring just two minutes after the restart. Another penalty opportunity allowed Asad Moos to claim his first Currie Cup try, sealing the Lion’s victory. The match also saw Delport receive a yellow card late in the game, later upgraded to a red card.

Tomorrow, the Pumas and the Boland Cavaliers face off at the Boland Stadium in what promises to be another thrilling watch.

TRIES – 6 (Ruan Delport 06’, Conrad Van Vuuren 16’, Morne Venter 28’, Mahle Sithole 33’, Dylan Sjoblom 42’, Asad Moos 70’)

CONVERSIONS: 6 (Sam Francis 06’, Sam Francis 16’, Sam Francis 28’’, Sam Francis 33’ Mahle Sithole 33’, Sam Francis

PENALTIES: 0

DROP GOALS: 0

YELLOW CARDS: 1 (Jarod Cairns 39’)

RED CARDS: 1 (Ruan Delport 71’)

TRIES 3 (Kebotile Maake 51’, Devon Williams 64', Reyaad Bam 73’)

CONVERSION 2 (Keagan Johannes 51’, Keagan Johannes 64’)

PENALTIES: 0

DROP GOALS: 0

YELLOW CARDS: 1 (Sintu Manjezi 32’)

RED CARDS: 0

Despite flanker Jared Cairns’ early yellow card, the Lions went into halftime with 28 points.

Mziwakhe Nkosi: “Yeah, we played a quarter of the game with 14 men. So, there's a lot to be said for that. So, guys fought hard a little bit. But again, we're going to have to sharpen up our discipline, particularly in the second half.

I mean, the first half to only concede four penalties was good. But yeah, we choked up quite too many in the second half. But to have played a quarter of the game with 14 men and to walk away with five points isn't too shabby.”

Sjöblom impressed throughout, earning praise for his leadership and contributions, despite a late red card.

Mziwakhe Nkosi: “Yeah, Dylan's grown in leaps and bounds. You know, he finished off calling the line-out, I thought he called it well. We've challenged him from a contributions point of view and he had plenty today.

"Illustrative in cramping at the end. In one or two breaks, he's a bit athletic, so I think that caught the crowd. But very good. Put in the mall stop, put in the mall himself, carried well. He had good contributions and we've challenged him a whole lot. I love a lot of his contributions and his come through. I'm glad for him. But again, you know, hopefully next week he can do just the same.”

Several players made their debuts during this game from both teams, including Junior Springbok fullback Gilermo Mentoe and Asad Moos, who scored his first Currie Cup try.

Mziwakhe Nkosi: “We had another debut on today again in Gilermo Mentoe who wasn't bad. We’ve got 14 players in the team of 43 curry cup caps and so our challenge is just to fight for giving them experience and this was a good experience and playing in front of a crowd like this but then Jared Cairns and Delport they're probably a little bit silly around their discipline.

But our hope is that they envelop them and sort of show them around. Particularly at the end there, when the captain was off, Jared was essentially by himself. He met Dylan Sjoblom in the back. We took Renat off in the backs, so we were really green in the back. But yeah, that's our challenge. We don't want to have too many young guys on the field, but there's no other way to play them or to blood them other than playing them. So, it's the balance of the two.”

Nkosi praised Biyela’s physicality and impact, noting he was close to man of the match.

Mziwakhe Nkosi: “We're trying to sort of get Renzo to come off the bench in that last 30, you know, to be a guy who makes an impact and a guy who brings a bit of leadership. But I thought Thando Biyela today was outstanding. For a 21-year-old, he put in a big shift. He probably was a close shot for man of the match. I mean, he brings an incredible amount of physicality.

Jared Cairns, apart from his yellow card, was good. You know, Morne Venter did some really good things, especially with the ball. He's a handful. So, you know, and the challenge is to back it up. And we're going to go to Kimberley next week and roll up our sleeves and do something special there.”

The captain echoed his coach’s concerns about discipline.

Dylan Sjöblom: “I think we have to look at our discipline and just play against ourselves, otherwise we're not going to win.”

Played a huge role in the match with his strong his involvement in midfield exchanges during the first half.

His performance was impressive, scoring him his first try since his debut last week.

His performed well, contributing to very dominant scrums.

Man of the match. His presence on the field was constant.

Opened the scoring early. He led very well from the front all though he received a red card 10 minutes before the game ended.

Biyela could’ve been a close shot at being man of the match. His performance was outstanding. In terms of physicality, he did very well.

Compared to last week’s game against the Pumas, his performance was a bit off. He could improve his discipline.

His ball possession was exceptional. He exerted great forward dominance in the first half.

A junior springbok made an impression and scored the final try extending the lead.

Had a good control of the kicking game nailing 5 of 6 conversions. Building on strong round 2 as well.

He performed to his usual standard. He has had big-try scoring games this season.

Played solid games since the Currie Cup derby started scoring a try in last week’s game against Pumas. He was functional in the backline supported by dominant forwards.

Kept things tight in the midfield throughout the game and scored a try against Pumas last week.

Played a solid game.

Another debutante that handled things calmly at the back. He is a promising star, and his low-error performance is what a junior Bok needs.

Came off a bench into a game that was already largely decided.

Ever-present bench prop but a trusted front-row utility option.

Hasn’t had any match impact in the past rounds of the Currie Cup.

Entered the squad in round 2 with pre-match reviews.

Started as No.6 in the first round and was named one of the experienced players, alongside Naude and Cairns. However, he’s been benched for the past 2 rounds.

Moos, Horn and Cilliers with Cilliers falling from starter to the bench.

Only made an appearance in the third round to kick a conversion

Ever-present on the bench for all three rounds.