Supersub Sanele Nohamba scored 12 factors because the Lions beat the Cheetahs in a 12-try semi-final of the 2024 Currie Cup in Johannesburg on Saturday.
The Lions and Cheetahs break up a feast of 12 tries, with the scores tied 19-19 at half time, however Nohamba’s beautiful landing within the final quarter helped steer the table-topping Lions to a 43-34 victory over the defending champions at Ellis Park.
Mzwakhe Nkosi’s expenses will subsequent week host the winners between the Vodacom Bulls and Sharks XV in Pretoria afterward Saturday.
A brace of tries and two conversions from flyhalf Ethan Wentzel powered the guests right into a 14-0 lead earlier than the shut of the primary quarter, however the house facet fought again and restored parity courtesy of transformed touchdowns from prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye and No 8 Jarod Cairns.
The Lions ensured the scores have been degree on the break after Springbok flanker Ruan Venter crashed into the endzone to cancel out flyer Cohen Jasper’s five-pointer in his fiftieth look for the Cheetahs.
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Inside centre Marius Louw crossed the whitewash quickly after the restart, and playmaker Kade Wolhuter added the extras, to offer the Delight the lead for the primary time within the match.
However their pleasure was short-lived, with Cheetahs captain Victor Sekekete and hooker Vernon Paulo barging over the whitewash to offer the boys from Bloemfontein the benefit on the scoreboard once more. It was additionally the sixth attempt of the competitors for Paulo, who has made a huge effect off the bench this season.
The Lions have been all the way down to 14 males halfway by the second half after Louw noticed yellow for a harmful deal with on flanker Gideon van der Merwe, however they negotiated the numerical drawback nicely and it was even-stevens going into the ultimate 20 minutes due to a well-struck penalty from Nohamba.
He then notched up seven factors, having weaved his method by the Cheetahs defence to soar in beneath the posts, and struck his second conversion of the match following an unimaginable break upfield from fellow substitute Morne Brandon.
Cheetahs substitute George Lourens banked the ultimate attempt earlier than the ultimate hooter as an exhilarating conflict went all the way down to the wire, however the Lions did sufficient to e-book a house closing subsequent week and first look within the showpiece of rugby’s oldest competitors since 2019.
Photograph: Steve Haag Sports activities/Gallo Photos/Getty Photos
