After 12 long years, Lions win Currie Cup

The Lions ended a 12-year wait for a Currie Cup title on Saturday, beating the defending champion Sharks 42-16 at Ellis Park for their first South African championship since 1999 and first at home for 61 years.

The Lions outscored a Springboks-filled Sharks team three tries to one and young flyhalf Elton Jantjies kicked 24 points to underline a convincing win for former All Blacks coach John Mitchell’s team.

Left wing Michael Killian went over in the 26th minute for a 19-3 lead for the Lions.

The Sharks struck back with a controversial score from Springboks flanker Willem Alberts early in the second, but that spurred the home team on and they responded through prop Pat Cilliers before Killian broke again to set up fullback Jaco Taute near the end. - Sapa-AP