Lions 23-21 Sharks: Ruan Combrinck penalty snatches dramatic win
By Tony Tighe
Last Updated: 22/07/17 3:42pm
Lions wing Ruan Combrinck kicked a 58-metre penalty with two minutes remaining to snatch a thrilling 23-21 Super Rugby quarter-final win against the Sharks.
The Lions trailed 14-3 at the break in Ellis Park after an abject first-half display but were back to their attacking best after the restart, scoring three tries in 13 minutes to move in front.
The Sharks retook the lead while Franco Mostert was in the sin bin but they were unable to hold on, Combrinck booming over a brilliant penalty on his 50th Lions appearance to set up a repeat of last year's Super Rugby final with the Hurricanes in Johannesburg next weekend.
The Lions made life hard for themselves, with Elton Jantjies having a shocker from the tee. The Springboks fly-half was successful with just two of his six attempts, while the Lions' handling errors had hit double figures by the 37th minute.
Last year's runners-up dominated the opening 10 minutes but only had a Jantjies penalty to show for their efforts, and they shot themselves in the foot to gift the Sharks the opening try.
The hosts took a quick lineout after Curwin Bosch had kicked the restart straight into touch, but indecision by Jantjies was punished as the Sharks snatched possession and Jean-Luc du Preez put Kobus van Wyk over in the corner.
Bosch extended their lead with a drop-goal after Jantjies kicked out on the full, and the Lions fly-half's problems continued when he missed another routine kick at the other end.
Daniel du Preez was stopped just shy of the line as the Sharks pressed for a second try, but two late penalties from Bosch gave the visitors a 14-3 lead at the break.
Bosch was off target with another drop-goal attempt in the opening minute of the second half but the game was turned on its head when Sharks lock Stephan Lewies paid the price for his side's mounting penalty count and was sent to the bin.
The Lions scored two tries in his absence, opposite number Mostert barging over from close range before Jantjies put his kicking woes behind him to set up Jaco Kriel.
Jantjies missed both conversions to leave the Lions trailing 14-13 but they moved back in front on 61 minutes when Harold Vorster took a quick tap penalty inside his own half and tore downfield before sending centre partner Lionel Mapoe over for their third try.
Jantjies added the extras this time to make it 20-14 but the Lions' lead lasted just three minutes.
The Sharks declined a kick at goal from a penalty, instead opting for a lineout, and although Cobus Rienach had a try ruled out for obstruction, Mostert was yellow-carded for cynically dragging down their rampaging maul earlier in the play.
The visitors opted for a scrum underneath the sticks and Daniel du Preez peeled away to dot down beside the post, Bosch converting for a 21-20 lead.
Combrinck missed a penalty to the Lions' tally of missed points from the tee to 13, while Bosch was unsuccessful with two long-range drop-goal attempts during a tense finish.
However, Combrinck was presented with another chance with two minutes remaining when Lwazi Mvovo was caught offside, and the winger boomed over the clutch kick from inside his own half to snatch a stunning win.