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.

“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.

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.

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.