By Lucky Maree
Expecting great rugby from these teams seemed unlikely before the match – but nobody told the players.
With the Blue Bulls sitting close to the bottom of the Currie Cup log, and the Lions battling their own management as well as their opponents you could expect the match to be a bit of a damp squib.
When the Bulls score two quick tries through Elrigh Louw and Daniel Kriel it looks as if the game is over before the first five minutes have gone by.
But the game is not over. Not by a long shot.
Francke Horn scores for the Lions, and Embrose Papier and Mornay Smith respond with tries for the Bulls.
The Lions get a penalty try before halftime and the second half start when Edwill van der Merwe score the first of his two tries.
With 30 minutes to go, Marcell Coetzee scores and now the Bulls have a precious eight-point lead that they hold onto until the last ten minutes. When Edwil van der Merwe scores his second try which Gianni Lombard converts, the Bulls have a one-point lead.
After the final whistle, the Lions have a single chance to win the match. Right in front of the posts, but with the Bulls players charging up, Gianni Lombard lines up a drop goal . . . that swings away to the left.
A match to remember.
Gauteng Lions (4 tries) 32-33 (5 tries) Blue Bulls.
Pictured above: Blue Bulls taking on the Lions
Image source: Currie Cup
