Cape Town - A 29-point flurry in the opening 30 minutes by the Golden Lions shut out Western Province in Friday night’s Currie Cup action at Ellis Park, resulting in a 62-32 demolition for the Johannesburg team in the end.
The Lions’ up-tempo style of play and hard graft at the breakdowns saw them score nine tries as they proved too hot to handle for a Province team that made countless errors and were unable to play catch-up after the first-half blowout.
Loose forwards Jaco Kriel and Warren Whiteley - who were both unlucky to have missed out on the Springbok squad for the Rugby World Cup - were stand-out players against WP, while wily scrumhalf Ross Cronje kept the Cape side’s defence busy all night long with snipes around the fringes and a smooth service to his backline.
And there is a new name in South African rugby - Malcolm Marx - that you wouldn’t want to forget in a hurry. The former SA Under-20 hooker was chosen as the Man of the Match as his work-rate was outstanding, coupled with powerful ball-carries and big tackles.
The slick Lions outfit are now unbeaten after nine matches and top the log on 43 points, while Province will have to rekindle the fire in their pack and spark in the backline.
Several promising WP moves broke down due to handling errors, while the defence was appalling as they were unable to keep the fleet-footed Lions at bay.
But at least scrumhalf Nic Groom’s late try that secured a bonus point for four tries would’ve given WP coach John Dobson some consolation on a highly forgettable night for Cape rugby.
Points Scorers
Golden Lions: Tries: Lourens Erasmus, Malcolm Marx, Howard Mnisi, Anthony Volmink, Kwagga Smith, Franco Mostert, Stokkies Hanekom, Andries Coetzee, Marnitz Boshoff. Conversions: Boshoff (5), Jaco van der Walt (2). Penalty: Boshoff (1).
Western Province: Tries: Sikhumbuzo Notshe (2), Johnny Kotze, Nic Groom. Conversions: Robert du Preez (3). Penalties: Du Preez (2).
Independent Media