Supersub Sanele Nohamba scored 12 points as the Lions beat the Cheetahs in a 12-try semi-final of the 2024 Currie Cup in Johannesburg on Saturday.
The Lions and Cheetahs split a feast of 12 tries, with the scores tied 19-19 at half time, but Nohamba’s stunning touchdown in the last quarter helped steer the table-topping Lions to a 43-34 victory over the defending champions at Ellis Park.
Mzwakhe Nkosi’s charges will next week host the winners between the Vodacom Bulls and Sharks XV in Pretoria later on Saturday.
A brace of tries and two conversions from flyhalf Ethan Wentzel powered the visitors into a 14-0 lead before the close of the first quarter, but the home side fought back and restored parity courtesy of converted touchdowns from prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye and No 8 Jarod Cairns.
The Lions ensured the scores were level at the break after Springbok flanker Ruan Venter crashed into the endzone to cancel out flyer Cohen Jasper’s five-pointer in his 50th appearance for the Cheetahs.
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Skipper Marius Louw crossed the whitewash soon after the restart, and playmaker Kade Wolhuter added the extras, to give the Pride the lead for the first time in the match.
But their joy was short-lived, with Cheetahs captain Victor Sekekete and hooker Vernon Paulo barging over the whitewash to give the men from Bloemfontein the advantage on the scoreboard again. It was also the sixth try of the competition for Paulo, who has made a huge impact off the bench this season.
The Lions were down to 14 men midway through the second half after Louw saw yellow for a dangerous tackle on flanker Gideon van der Merwe, but they negotiated the numerical disadvantage well and it was even-stevens going into the final 20 minutes thanks to a well-struck penalty from Nohamba.
He then notched up seven points, having weaved his way through the Cheetahs defence to soar in under the posts, and struck his second conversion of the match following an incredible break upfield from fellow replacement Morne Brandon.
Cheetahs substitute George Lourens banked the final try before the final hooter as an exhilarating clash went down to the wire, but the Lions did enough to book a home final next week and first appearance in the showpiece of rugby’s oldest competition since 2019.
Photo: Steve Haag Sports/Gallo Images/Getty Images
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Src: sarugbymag.co.za
