The Lions suffered their second consecutive defeat of the Vodacom URC season, losing 22-20 to Zebre Parma at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi in Italy on Sunday afternoon.
It was a bitter loss for the Highvelders, whose valiant second-half comeback was nullified by a 78th-minute try from Zebre replacement Matteo Nocera, ensuring a heartbreaking end to the encounter for the visitors.
Zebre started the match strongly, utilizing a dominant set-piece and breakdown intensity to keep the Lions pinned back. Tries from Bautista Stavile Bravin and Tomasso di Bartolomeo gave the home side a 12-3 lead, built on phases and maul strength, with the Joburgers struggling to find rhythm.
However, the Lions mounted a good rally in the second half, sparked by a yellow card shown to Zebre’s Samuele Locatelli. Exploiting the numerical advantage, the visitors saw Bok fullback Quan Horn and midfielder Henco van Wyk combine for impressive attacking plays, resulting in tries for SJ Kotze and Eduan Keyter, followed by a score from Morne Brandon to put the Lions ahead 20-15 with five minutes to go.
Just when the Lions looked set to grind out a vital away victory, Nocera crashed over the line two minutes from time, levelling the scores. Replacement Martin Roger Farias calmly slotted the conversion, securing a 22-20 win and handing Zebre their first-ever victory over the Joburg franchise.
The Lions were left to rue missed opportunities and a couple of wayward kicks at goal as they prepared to face Benetton in the final match of their tour.
