Griquas strike late to secure special win over Lions

Replacement Cebo Dlamini scored a stunning 84th-minute try as Griquas snatched a 25-18 win over the Lions in a thrilling Currie Cup clash on Sunday.

In a dramatic finish to the match, former sevens star JC Pretorius scored a late try as the Lions looked to have salvaged a draw in the game.

However, Griquas then took play through an incredible 22 phases after the regulation 80 minutes, with Dlamini ultimately breaking away to score with the final play of the game.

By the time this game kicked off on Sunday afternoon, the Lions were clinging onto fifth place on the standings, while other results from the weekend had seen Griquas slip down to seventh.

?? Thriller in Johannesburg!

The @GriquasRugby steal it at the death to claim a heroic victory in the #CurrieCup#WhereLegendsRise pic.twitter.com/Aq5dg2EVlh

— The Currie Cup (@TheCurrieCup) April 16, 2023

This added extra importance to the outcome of this clash as both sides sought a victory that could strengthen their chances of qualifying for the playoffs.

Although the Lions had disappointingly conceded eight tries and 52 points to the Cheetahs last week, they made a much stronger start against Griquas in a first half where they actually enjoyed 63 per cent of the territory.

Zeilinga Strydom scored the first try of the game for the hosts, and just before halftime, it appeared that the Lions would be taking a handy 10-3 lead into the break.

MOMENT OF MAGIC

Yet, a yellow card to Lions flank Jarod Cairns late in the first half allowed Griquas to take full advantage of a numerical advantage as Janco Uys powers his way over the whitewash on the brink of halftime to make it a two-point ball game.

With that finish to the first half in mind, it was always going to be crucial for the Lions to score next, and they managed to do just that on the hour mark as Tiaan Swanepoel slotted a long-range penalty.

On an evening where Griquas veteran George Whitehead had uncharacteristically missed a couple shots at goal, a five-point lead was worth its weight in gold as the Lions headed into the final quarter.

Having said that, this is a Griquas that has claimed a couple of big scalps this season – after beating the Sharks and WP – and they responded emphatically as scrumhalf Johan Mulder burrowed his way over the tryline after an extended period of pressure.

With less than five minutes remaining, Eddie Fouche knocked over a well-taken penalty for Griquas, but they then failed to control possession from the kick off.

As the Lions won back the ball, a perfectly weighted chip was pounced on by Pretorius, who dotted down for a crucial try that drew the scores level.

However, Swanepoel was unable to slot the conversion from a relatively easy angle, and a draw then looked to be on the cards before Griquas and Dlamini produced a match-defining moment of magic.

Points scores

Lions - Tries: Zeilinga Strydom, JC Pretorius. Conversion: Tiaan Swanepoel. Penalties: Swanepoel (2).

Griquas - Tries: Janco Uys, Johan Mulder, Cebo Dlamini. Conversions: Eddie Fouche (2). Penalties: George Whitehead, Fouche.