Currie Cup: Lions and Blue Bulls provide some cheers

The Golden Lions and the Blue Bulls produced a much-needed proper local derby for the Currie Cup at Ellis Park on Saturday evening, with the Lions winning a thrilling encounter 36-33.

The Lions seemed to have taken firm control of the match at halftime as a strong second quarter gave them a 26-14 lead, but the Bulls were much-improved in the second half and it took a wonderful 72^nd-minute try by replacement wing Aphiwe Dyantyi to ensure the home side claimed the win and maintained what is becoming a strong challenge in the Currie Cup.

Much like in the horror show in Albany between the Springboks and All Blacks in the morning, it was the difference in skills which ultimately proved crucial.

The Lions are further along the path and, although the Bulls showed tremendous intent, they are still a work in progress and they gave away too much ball through mistakes.

Who was the star in this match?

The Lions seem to be succeeding in the development of some fine fresh talent for Super Rugby, none more so than their new halfback pairing of Marco Janse van Vuren and Ashlon Davids. Janse van Vuren gave a Man of the Match display at scrumhalf, showing great composure and good decision-making throughout. His box-kick after a 20-metre driving maul that set up Dyantyi for the crucial try was a stroke of brilliance and executed to perfection.

Key moments and themes

• Lions centre Rohan Janse van Rensburg returned to form with a brace of tries in the 26^th and 32^nd minutes, which took the home side from 7-14 down into a 21-14 lead. For the first he got outside his man and ran straight through to score, while his second try came after he claimed a little dink up in the air by midfield partner Harold Vorster.
• If Springbok coach Allister Coetzee is as concerned about his back three as most outside observers seem to be, then he need look no further than Gelant to play fullback. The 22-year-old was as elusive as ever and he scored a brilliant second-half try, changing the complexion of the game as the Bulls caught the Lions on the scoreboard. After a strong carry by prop Pierre Schoeman, Gelant ran a great line on to replacement scrumhalf Piet van Zyl’s pop-pass and finished with a superb weaving run.
• The Lions regained the lead four minutes later though with a penalty by fullback Jaco van der Walt, and it was their ability to adapt and build the scoreboard with whatever means necessary that allowed them to come away with the win. They hurt the Bulls badly with their driving maul, scoring two tries with it and also setting up the crucial Dyantyi touchdown.
• The Bulls also had no answer to the powerful Lions scrum, led by the Super Rugby strength front row of Jacques van Rooyen, Robbie Coetzee and Jacobie Adriaanse.

Point Scorers

Golden Lions: Tries – Robbie Coetzee, Rohan Janse van Rensburg (2), Jacques van Rooyen, Aphiwe Dyantyi. Conversions – Jaco van der Walt (4). Penalty – Van der Walt.

Blue Bulls: Tries – Ruben van Heerden, Jano Venter, Johnny Kotze, Warrick Gelant, Johan Grobbelaar. Conversions – Marnitz Boshoff (4).