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Perfect Lions reign supreme

The Johannesburg side got the ultimate revenge for their defeat in last year's final at Newlands, ending the season unbeaten.

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They outscored the visitors by four tries to three in a dominant performance in front of an enthusiastic if not capacity crowd.Perfect Lions reign supreme

The home side made a storming start and put Province on the back foot, but Marnitz Boshoff showed some early nerves by missing two early penalties.

However, they were still able to strike first when Warren Whiteley was put over by Boshoff following a great break from Rohan Janse van Rensburg.

Province flyhalf Robert du Preez also missed his first kick at goal, and the Lions responded with another try to Ross Cronje after some weak defence from the visitors. 

The visitors turned down the opportunity to kick for goal twice as they looked to hit back with a try but they were not able to get over and eventually settled for a penalty from Du Preez to open their account. 

The Lions responded with another try from Cronje and they added a penalty from Boshoff before Du Preez made amends for his earlier errors with a try on the stroke of half-time which reduced the deficit to 22-10 at the break.

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The home side made the ideal start to the second half when Janse van Rensburg crossed for their fourth try, and it looked a long way back for Province at 29-10 down.Perfect Lions reign supreme

Province hit back soon afterwards with a try from Nizaam Carr which kept their hopes alive, but the Lions were able to take their lead out to 32-17 with a penalty by Boshoff from the halfway line.

A maul try from Sikhumbuzo Notshe gave Province some hope of a comeback, but it was not to be as the Lions held on to claim their first Currie Cup title since 2011.

Man of the match: There were impressive performances from the likes of Franco Mostert, Jaco Kriel, Rohan Janse van Rensburg and Andries Coetzee but the man who pulled all the strings for the Lions was scrumhalf Ross Cronje.

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Moment of the match: Rohan Janse van Rensburg's try just after half-time was the decisive moment which gave the Lions the breathing room they needed for the win.

Villain of the match: There were none, the match was played in good spirit.

The scorers:

For Golden Lions:

Tries: Whiteley, Cronje 2, Janse van Rensburg

Cons: Boshoff 3

Pens: Boshoff 2

For Western Province:

Tries: Du Preez, Carr, Notshe

Cons: Du Preez 2, Coleman

Pen: Du Preez

Yellow card: Chris van Zyl (Western Province, 79 – Foul play, dangerous tackle)

Teams:

Golden Lions: 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Courtnall Skosan, 13 Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 12 Howard Mnisi, 11 Anthony Volmink, 10 Marnitz Boshoff, 9 Ross Cronje, 8 Warren Whiteley, 7 Albertus Smith, 6 Jaco Kriel (captain), 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Lourens Erasmus, 3 Julian Redelinghuys, 2 Robbie Coetzee, 1 Jacques van Rooyen.

Replacements: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Ruan Dreyer, 18 Fabian Booysen, 19 Stephan de Witt, 20 Jaco van der Walt, 21 Nicolaas Hanekom, 22 Sampie Mastriet.

Western Province: 15 Cheslin Kolbe, 14 Dillyn Leyds, 13 Johnny Kotze, 12 Juan de Jongh (captain), 11 Seabelo Senatla, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Nic Groom, 8 Nizaam Carr, 7 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 6 Rynhardt Elstadt, 5 Ruan Botha, 4 Jean Kleyn, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Mbongeni Mbonambi, 1 Steven Kitshoff.

Replacements: 16 Michael Willemse, 17 Oliver Kebble, 18 Chris van Zyl, 19 Jurie van Vuuren, 20 Jano Vermaak, 21 Kurt Coleman, 22 Huw Jones.

Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge

Assistant referees: Stuart Berry, Jason Jaftha

TMO: Marius Jonker

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