Rugby

Tshituka shines as Lions show their class against Stormers

A number of players put in stirring performances as the Lions delivered a magnificent show, upstaging the Stormers 37-19 in their United Rugby Championship clash in Cape Town on Saturday evening.

Standing just above the rest in the end was flank Vincent Tshituka who produced a barnstorming performance to deservedly be named Man of the Match, after putting in a tireless shift at the breakdown while also scoring a try and assisting in another.

Tshituka was thrilled with the team effort and excited that the Lions ended the year on the perfect note.

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“We had a storming game, I couldn’t have asked for a better way to end the year with the team,” Tshituka said.

“With a lot of complications having happened this year, this was the perfect way we would have wanted to end it.

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“We had a long four weeks of preparation with a lot of hard work, so all we had to do was execute, and I feel that’s exactly what the boys did.”

Other players who shone during the match were Lions captain Burger Odendaal, flyhalf Fred Zeilinga – who slotted all seven of his shots at goal for a personal tally of 17 points – and eighthman Francke Horne, who scored a brace.

Burger Odendaal displayed fine form at the weekend. Picture: Gallo Images

Odendaal was immense in midfield, putting in a powerful shift on defence while also making a number of strong runs, including one off a lineout that saw him break the line and put Tshituka away for his try.

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Zeilinga had an impressive night with the boot, kicking well out of hand in tricky conditions with a strong wind that made conditions very difficult. He was also perfect from the tee, slotting all of his attempts at goal, including a couple of tough ones from out wide, using the wind to his advantage.

Horne enjoyed a solid showing in the loose, making a menace of himself at the breakdown, while his follow-up play on attack was on point.

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By Ross Roche