Boks back in the game

THE Springboks produced a superb second half performance to secure a 27-9 victory in the second Test against the British & Irish Lions at Cape Town Stadium last night and level the Series at 1-1 with one Test to go.

Given all the off-the-field stuff that had happened in the build-up to the first and second Tests, this victory is even sweeter.

Last week, it was the Boks’ second half that let them down, this week, it saved them.

Handre Pollard got the Boks on the scoreboard first with a penalty kick from right in front five minutes into the contest (3-0).

Shortly afterwards the Lions equalised, with flyhalf Dan Biggar adding a penalty kick, and he added another after Cheslin Kolbe went in high on Tom Curry towards the end of the opening quarter (3-6).

Pollard had a chance to even things out on the scoreboard shortly afterwards, but he sent his attempt – from over 40m out – wide.

In the opening half, the Lions had the upper hand in the possession and territory categories, while their defence was also decent.

Around the 24th minute, Scotland international Duhan van der Merwe was shown yellow for a malicious trip on Bok winger Kolbe, but the hosts also went a man down when Kolbe was also yellow-carded shortly afterwards for what was deemed a dangerous aerial challenge, even though his eyes were on the ball the whole time.

The Springboks caught up to the Lions’ score after a great breakdown turnover by Makazole Mapimpi, who was busy and kept looking for opportunities on the night, with Pollard converting the penalty (6-all).

After that, the Lions threatened to score from an attacking line-out on the five, but superb line-out work in the form of a steal by Eben Etzebeth prevented them from getting the opening try.

Thereafter Robbie Henshaw gathered a kick over the top for the Lions and went over for the score, but he lost control of the ball after a saving tackle by Bok skipper Siya Kolisi – who was colossal last night – and the try was disallowed (half time 6-9).

After a tension, temper-filled and unusually long first half, Jacques Nienaber’s side put up a stunning display in the second half in almost a complete reversal of last week’s opening Test.

They forced the Lions into errors, looked more threatening with the ball, and their kicking game was also good. They just took control.

They were first to get points after the break, with Pollard sending a pinpoint kick-pass to Mapimpi to run in the first try of the match (11-9).

The Lions got a chance to go one point up shortly afterwards when replacement flanker Kwagga Smith, who came on for Pieter-Steph du Toit at the start of the second quarter, was blown for not releasing the tackled player, but Biggar’s attempt shot off the pole and the Boks held onto the narrow lead.

The Boks stretched their lead after a monster of a driving maul and some nifty booting by Faf de Klerk set Lukhanyo Am up for their second try (18-9).

Pollard stretched the Boks’ lead with a penalty conversion at the 70-minute mark (21-9) and added another one with five minutes to go as the Boks took greater control (24-9).

His late penalty emphasised the Springboks’ dominance (27-9).

The Boks host the Lions in the series-decider at Cape Town Stadium next Saturday.

POINT SCORERS

SOUTH AFRICA: Tries: Makazole Mapimpi, Lukhanyo Am Conversion: Handre Pollard Penalties: Pollard (5) Yellow card: Cheslin Kolbe

LIONS: Penalties: Biggar (3) Yellow card: Duhan van der Merwe