The Lions team managed to achieve a dramatic 22–22 draw against the Sharks after an intense match in Pietermaritzburg. The game was part of the sixth round of the Currie Cup tournament at Woodburn Stadium on Friday evening.
The Sharks XV initially looked poised to win at home. However, the Lions demonstrated impressive composure under pressure, scoring the equalizer after the final whistle, which resulted in a draw.
Initially, the Sharks held the advantage when Mano Barnard scored his fourth touchdown in the 76th minute. But the Lions managed to respond when Guillermo Mentoe broke through the defense to level the score after the game ended.
Sam Francis had the opportunity to win the match for the visitors and earn all four points, but his conversion attempt missed, leaving both teams with an equal result.
This result will have little impact on either team's chances of reaching the Currie Cup semi-finals, as both sides earned only two points from a contest that truly began only after the break.
The start of the match was marked by numerous changes in both teams' starting lineups, leading to a game full of errors. The only score in the first 30 minutes was a penalty kick from Francis.
Currie Cup
Sharks captain Ross Braude managed to put the home side on the board in the 31st minute, breaking through after a powerful maul, giving the Sharks a 5–3 lead.
However, the Lions were better at work-outs, using their ball retention advantage as a basis for attack. Their pressure paid off when forward Vuyo Gvidji broke through, giving the visitors a 10–5 lead at halftime.
After the break, the Sharks decisively clawed back positions, scoring twice early in the second half. Liam van Wyk scored another touchdown from the out line, and Luan Gilliam created an excellent pass for Christie Grobbelaar in the corner. Tim Swiel added a conversion to this touchdown, and the Sharks took the lead with a score of 17–10.
The Lions responded in the 54th minute when hooker Armand Combrink scored another touchdown from the out line. Francis added the conversion, leveling the score at 17–17 and setting up a dramatic final quarter.
The Sharks regained the initiative and seemed to achieve what they wanted when Barnard scored his fourth touchdown. Nevertheless, Mentoe's final attempt secured the draw, preventing either side from achieving a decisive victory.
Score breakdown:
Sharks XV 22 (5) – Touchdowns: Ross Braude, Liam van Wyk, Christie Grobbelaar, Mano Barnard. Conversion: Tim Swiel.
Lions 22 (10) – Touchdowns: Vuyo Gvidji, Armand Combrink, Guillermo Mentoe. Conversions: Sam Francis (2). Penalty: Francis.