The Crusaders claimed their eighth Super Rugby title and first since 2008 with a 25-17 victory over 14-man Lions at Ellis Park on Saturday.
The record-breaking 62 000 capacity crowd were silenced as their Lions heroes were denied a maiden Super Rugby title and coach Johan Ackermann was a denied what would have been a fitting farewell as he now heads to Gloucester.
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And the Lions chief was left frustrate after Kwagga Smith was red-carded two minutes before half-time for tackling David Havili in the air while Havili was going up to catch the ball.
“I made a point when Robbie Coetzee got a red card (in May) how I feel about them. I don’t think 63,000 people paid money to see a 15 versus 14 game,” Ackermann told reporters.
“A player can get disciplined afterwards, I stand by that, especially if it is not outside the law in terms of a kick to the face, a punch or dirty play.”
Kwagga Smith red card#Rugby #SuperRugby pic.twitter.com/qMs1fqL097
— Pasion Por Rugby (@PasionPorRugby) August 5, 2017