The Fidelity ADT Lions outplayed their visitors, the Suzuki Griquas, securing their place at the top of the log of the 2025 Carling Currie Cup Premier Division with a 37-07 bonus-point win.
The Griquas opened the scoring when Lourens Oosthuizen scored off the back of a lineout-maul. George Whitehead converted to extend the Griquas' lead to 07-00 after six minutes of play.
During the following fifteen minutes, both teams squandered several opportunities to score. However, Henco van Wyk ran a brilliant line and, despite having several defenders on his back, he scored an exceptional try for the Lions. Chris Smith converted to level the scores after twenty-two minutes of play in the first half.
The Lions kept on applying pressure on the defence of Griquas. Richard Kriel ran a great line to beat several defenders to score the hosts’ second try and extend the Lions' lead to 12-07.
Chris Smit converted a penalty with a minute still to play in the first half to extend the Lions' lead to 15-07, which was also the halftime score.
The Lions’ Nico Steyn scored a brilliant individual try, sniping past several defenders off the back of a ruck. Smith converted to extend the Lions' lead to 22-07.
Minutes later, Chris Smith converted his second penalty of the match to extend the Lions’ lead to 25-07 after fifteen minutes of play.
A minute later, Angelo Davids sped down the touchline to score the Lions' fourth and bonus-point try to extend the Lions' lead to 30-07.
Scintillating play by the Lions led to a great try scored by Quan Horn, which was started by an intercept by Richard Kriel. Chris Smith added the extra two points to extend the Lions' lead to 37-07 after twenty-six minutes of play in the second half.
The Lions “dominated” the final quarter of the match but could not add any points as a reward for their efforts. However, the 37-07 win secured the top spot on the Currie Cup Premier Division, securing a home semi and final.
Teams:
Fidelity ADT Lions: 15 Quan Horn, 14 Kelly Mpeku, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Richard Kriel, 11 Angelo Davids, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Nico Steyn, 8 WJ Steenkamp, 7 Ruan Venter, 6 Jarod Cairns, 5 Ruan Delport, 4 Dylan Sjoblom, 3 RF Schoeman, 2 PJ Botha (c), 1 SJ Kotze. Replacements: 16 Franco Marais, 17 Juan Schoeman, 18 Sebastian Lombard, 19 Darrien Landsberg, 20 Renzo du Plessis, 21 Haashim Pead, 22 Lubabalo Dobela, 23 Rynhardt Jonkeer.
Suzuki Griquas: 15 Connor Mahoney, 14 Dylan Maart, 13 Zane Bester, 12 Mnombo Zwelenedaba, 11 Gurswin Wehr, 10 George Whitehead, 9 Caleb Abrahams, 8 Gustav Erlank, 7 Carl Els, 6 Lourens Oosthuizen, 5 Albert Liebenberg, 4 Malembe Mpofu, 2 Cebo Dlamini (c), 2 Janco Uys, 1 Eddie Davids. Replacements: 16 Gustav du Rand, 17 Leon Lyons, 18 Johan Louw, 19 Derik Pretorius, 20 Marco de Witt, 21 Thomas Bursey, 22 Tom Nel, Cameron Hufke.