The Lions moved into the second place on the Currie Cup log on Friday night when they demolished the Pumas 89-10, scoring 13 tries in the process. It was the biggest win yet in the competition, but it could all mean nothing to the Lions as they could move down to fifth and out of play-off contention on the last day of the Currie Cup group play on Saturday.
They had a 47-3 lead at the break.
It was a special day also for John Daniels, who scored a hat-trick and in the process became the highest try-scorer ever in Currie Cup, passing the long-standing record of Chris Badenhorst. Daniels’s first try passed the Badenhorst mark and two more tries took his tally to 68 tries.
There were also emotional farewells to the likes of Grant Esterhuizen, Wikus van Heerden and Russell Winter, who will be moving on from Ellis Park.
Esterhuizen at least scored a brace to end his spell on a high.
The Lions were always in control, although the Pumas took an early lead through a long range penalty by Jeandre Fourie. They also had the final say as Corne Steenkamp scored in the 83rd minute of play, but in between that the Lions came to feast.
Daniels scored his first off a grubber by Earl Rose and referee Tappe Henning, who also excelled, awarded a penalty try to the Lions shortly after as Jano Vermaak was infringed, trying to take a quick tap penalty.
Esterhuizen, playing his 50th game for the Lions, scored after Jaco Pretorius’s pace from a turn-over ball deep in the Lions red zone created the extra man.
Two quick tries settled all the nerves in the Lions camp. First Pietie Ferreira pounced from a line-out near the Pumas line and then Jano Vermaak broke clear from the resulting kick-off to send Daniels on his way for his second try of the evening.
Earl Rose scored just before the break as another promising Pumas attack broke down in the Lions’ half before Doppies le Grange scored on the buzzer to put the Lions 47-3 up at the break.
The Pumas, to their credit, continued playing rugby, but too often lost the ball in the final pass, only to see the Lions counter and score at the other end.
Daniels opened the scoring spree in the second half when he dotted down after a strong run to the line, before Jaco Pretorius again ran onto a grubber by namesake Andre, as they did last week against Western Province.
The flyhalf, who only missed one kick all evening, was again instrumental in the next try, this time giving Esterhuizen his second as he stepped left and right to open up the Pumas defence once more.
Ferreira also scored his second, before Lawrence Sephaka swan-dived over for his try. Pretorius kicked his 12th conversion of the night. — Sapa
Lions: Tries: John Daniels (3), Grant Esterhuizen (2), Pietie Ferreira (2), Earl Rose, Doppies le Grange, Thobela Mdaka, Jaco Pretorius, Lawrence Sephaka and a penalty try. Conversions: Andre Pretorius (12).
Pumas: Try by Corne Steenkamp. Conversion: BC du Plessis. Penalty: Jeandre Fourie.