The Lions host the Griquas in what proves to be a thrilling match.
Both teams have had quite a dramatic reversal of fortunes as the season has progressed.
The griquas were at one stage second on the log and then as the attrition started to take its toll they slowly slid down the log.
The Lions on the other hand strted off the season in much the same form with which they finished the Super 14 finding themselves with only 1 win after 5 rounds. It did not take long for John Mitchell and Carlos Spencer to start working their magic taking the Lions to 4 consecutive wins after that. The Lions currently sit on 5 wins after 9 rounds.
I suspect the reversal of fortunes will continue on its way with the Lions walking this game.
Ref: Jaco Peyper
ARs: Quinton Immelman, Madel de Villiers
Venue: Coca Cola Park, Johannesburg
Kick-off: 15.00
Lions: 15 Jaco Taute, 14 Jannie Boshoff, 13 Waylon Murray, 12 Doppies la Grange, 11 Michael Killian, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Warren Whiteley, 7 Joshua Strauss, 6 Derick Minnie, 5 Franco van der Merwe (captain), 4 Johan Snyman, 3 Ross Geldenhuys, 2 Martin Bezuidenhout, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg.
Replacements: 16 Edgar Marutlulle, 17 Wayne Swart, 18 David Bulbring, 19 Renaldo Bothma, 20 JP Joubert, 21 Burton Francis, 22 Marius Delport.
Griquas: 15 Riaan Viljoen, 14 Rocco Jansen, 13 Wilmaure Louw, 12 Barry Geel, 11 Bjorn Basson, 10 Naas Olivier (captain), 9 Marnus Hugo, 8 Davon Raubenheimer, 7 Justin Downey, 6 Johan van Deventer, 5 Cecil Kemp, 4 Luvuyiso Lusaseni, 3 Jean Botha, 2 Simon Westraadt, 1 Steph Roberts.
Replacements: 16 Ryno Barnes, 17 Jacobie Adriaanse, 18 Edwin Hewitt, 19 Burger Schoeman, 20 Sarel Pretorius, 21 Jean Stemmet/Richard Lawson, 22 Rudi Vogt.
LIOOOOOOOOOOONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Why in the world do you want the Lions to win??
With the exception of Greg their supporters are idiots (those I’ve come across)
@wpw (Comment 2) :
Because I picked them on SB and because I know they are going to win.
@wpw (Comment 2) :
Oh and do Walter and Willa know you think they are idiots?
@wpw:
One or two in particular, hmmm?
Hard not to back them for being such spirited battlers.
Forgot about Walter!!
No comment on Hmmm.
Lions by 13!
I won’t have commentary for this game. will be doing commentary for the Cheetahs Bulls.
@KSA Pink Shark © (Comment 8) :
Im warmed up if you want commentary?
Go the Kwas!
Im hoping the Sharks boys will make their presence felt..
Sharks 41
WP 28
Cheetahs 28
Blue Bulls 28
Lions 25
Griquas 24
If things go the way I want them to then the Cheetahs will be out of the top 4 this afternoon.
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 9) :
I’ll be having an afternoon snooze (not a nap)
Late Change. Burton francis starting at 12.
@robdylan (Comment 10) :
can you do the logs today after the games?
@KSA Pink Shark © (Comment 13) :
Enjoy!
Wow the Sharks on 41 points already!
Bastards!!
Ref’s been told to be even more strict at the breakdown..
And I have afrikaans commentary.. yay
Early Lions penalty, going for the lineout..
Lineout just inside the 22m..
Lions penalty..
Jantjes going at goal..
All penalties so far conceded at the breakdown..
Jantjes converts..
Lions 3 – 0 Griquas
3 minutes
Jeez but Viljoen has a massive boot on him!!
Kicking game so far.. not a lot of running..
Lions using both Francis and Jantjes to kick clearances
Both teams handling letting them down..
Griquas try!!
Referring to the TMO..
Rocco Jansen going over in the right hand corner..
Naas Olivier created with a great break!
Olivier misses the conversion
Lions 3 – 5 Griquas
12 minutes
Good break by the Lions.. nly to knock on as they get into the 22m..
Lions penalty for Griquas playing the ball on the ground..
Jantjes going for goal..
Jantjes converts..
Lions 6 – 5 Griquas
18 minutes
Thats a female assisstant referee..
Is that a first Andre? Have we seen this before?
Viljen attempts a drop goal from the half way line..
Easily had the distance, just wide..
Another penalty for Griquas not on their feet..
Jantjes going for another 3 points..
Hey guys ders a short article in 2 days witness were b van zyl says da sharks r in da process of signing kanko smit etc 4 next year but still in negotiations wit jp. Free state r taking mapoe and sharks 2 supreme court in bloem on sep 23
Jantjes is an awesome kicker.. slots it..
Lions 9 – 5 Griquas
22 minutes
Lusaseni doing well in the lineouts for Griquas so far..
Griquas prop Jean Botha scores a try!!
Good break by Geel, and then going down the line and from a short pop up pass, the prop bulldozes over..
Olivier converts
Lions 9 – 12 Griquas
27 minutes
Another breakdown penalty advantage to the Lions..
Griquas must be careful to not get a yellow card..
Josh Strauss try!!
Good build up while having advantage and catching the Griquas defence unaware..
Jantjes converts..
Lions 16 – 12 Griquas
32 minutes
15 consecutive kicks at goal converted by Jantjes..
Griquas penalty for Lions obstruction at the kick off..
Olivier slots it..
Lions 16 – 15 Griquas
33 minutes
Jantjes dictating play well..
He is a general in the making with a good left boot!
Viljoen going for a penalty 10m inside his own half..
Just short.. and I mean like 2m short..
Good attempt
Another Lions penalty for a breakdown error..
Lions take it quickly instead of the 3 points..
It pays off..
Jaco Taute try!!
2 minutes after the hooter, but good move..
Jantjes gets another 2 points..
Lions 23 – 15 Griquas
HALF TIME
Tackles made
Griquas – 50
Lions – 17
Second half has kicked off..
Downey has put in some nice tackles. Lusaseni is also getting stuck in
Griquas taking the man without the ball..
Yellow card shown to Ryno Barnes, the replacement hooker..
Jantjes going for the 3 points..
@robdylan (Comment 51) :
Both looking good Rob.. Good talent that we have..
Jantjes converts the penalty..
Lions 26 – 15 Griquas
45 minutes
@robdylan (Comment 51) :
Jantjes looking good hey Rob?
Jaco Taute try! Good break by Vermaak..
Jantjes gets 2 more points..
Lions 32 – 15 Griquas
47 minutes
Sarel Pretorius on the park now..
Taute is a legend. Would love it if we could grab him
Basson try!!!
What a try.. what a great build up.. good interplay between Pretorius, Viljoen..
Damn. No way griquas can come back now
Olivier converts..
Lions 33 – 22 Griquas
50 minutes
@robdylan (Comment 59) :
Think you spoke too soon there Rob
How much time left? I need Lions to win by at least 12 points
Are Griquas still down to 10?
Lusaseni looks hurt..
I hope he is okay..
The sin binned man has now returned to the field of play..
Penalty to Griquas for Lions not rolling away..
Griquas take the lineout and not the 3 points..
Griquas lose the ball after a good turn over by the Lions..
Hey Rich.
Did Marnus Hugo have a good game??
@wpw (Comment 68) :
He really wasn’t bad wpw.. but Sarel makes a difference on attack..
He had good distribution and was generally quick to the ruck..
Lusaseni is a force in the lineouts.. good to see..
Lions defence is good..
Griquas can’t find a gap, they keep getting tackled backwards..
Lions 33 – 22 Griquas
60 minutes
@robdylan (Comment 57) : Perhaps we could swap Ludik for Taute..
Did we sign the wrong fullback from the Lions?
Jannie Boshoff try!!!
Great build up, and then a great angled run from the winger..
Bonus point try!
Jantjes adds another 2 points..
Lions 40 – 22 Griquas..
65 minutes
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 74) : YES!! Cheers Rich…thanks for keeping us updated!
Now,that was a nice try. They are playing much beter in the second half, the same as last week, I wonder what happens at half time in the locker room?
That will go as a handling error by Downey, but he had no chance of catching it!!
@Nita (Comment 77) :
Mitchell threatens to Bliksem them!!
Jantjies being replaced now..
Seems to have hurt his ankle or leg or something..
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 79) : BE AFRAID, BE REALLY AFRAID!
Jean Stemmet has now taken the field..
Griquas get a penalty..
Surely they will take the lineout or the scrum..
Scrum taken.. 5m out.. looking for a fourth try
Technical looking move that flops for Griquas as they knock on..
Unfortunate..
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 79) : My guess is he doesn’t threaten but actually Bliksems those that are performing below par.
Why do you think none of the Force wanted to play for him anymore, tired of getting beaten up. 
Jantjies going off, it’s beter to be safe and take him off. It looked like he twisted something.
Good defence by the Lions to keep Griquas out..
Welcome to the currie cup Stemmo!
Plenty of so-called Sharks supporters who will shout for the Lions at the drop of a hat. Makes me question the conviction…
@Dancing Bear (Comment 85) :
Haha!! very true.. They let him go very easily!
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 89) : John Mitchell is not someone I would want to meet in a dark alley.
Lusaseni now comes off for Griquas..
Good game!!
@Dancing Bear (Comment 90) :
Him and Plum both!!
@robdylan (Comment 88) : Not me, but their current success is well deserved Rob. Since Mitchell came in, they have worked hard to achieve what they have, and I do respect that, but I don’t support any other SA team in the CC, ever.
Guilty conscience, db?
I just reckon since we have two currently contracted sharks playing for griquas, you’ll need a bloody good excuse not to be supporting them
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 92) : No I don’t want to meet both of them in a dark alley.
I think Plum while tough, just isn’t as mean as Mitchell unless he is hanging around with him. 
Griquas Bonus Point try by Vogt!!
@Dancing Bear (Comment 93) : I could never support ANY other CC team. I support Sharks/Natal and whoever plays against Wee Pee/Stormers!!
Vogt also going at goal..
Converts easily.
Lions 40 – 29 Griquas..
2 minutes to play
@robdylan (Comment 94) :
no guilty conscience here Rob, I have never supported another SA team in the CC. Not even Griquas with the Sharks players. My excuse is I never support any other CC team full stop.
@Villie (Comment 97) :
I won’t even support the team playing WP or the Bulls, and I dislike both those teams.
Lions 40 – 29 Griquas
FULL TIME
Wow Villie!!
I reckon you have a similar policy in the EPL.
You support Villa and anyone who plays Liverpool??
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 101) : Thanks for all the updates Mr. Ferguson!
Okay boys and girls.. thats me for the weekend..
Enjoy the Bulls Cheetahs game..
Over and out..
@wpw (Comment 102) :
@wpw (Comment 102) : Spot on Wes. Wee Pee and Liverpool are my 2 hated teams. It’s nothing personal though…have disliked them for many years before I met you
However I will support Wee Pee/Stormers against Aussie and Kiwi sides!!
Portsmouth vs Ipswitch match is causing all kinds of traffic problems, I probably should not have picked a hotel right next to the Portmouth FC Stadium.
@Villie (Comment 106) : Right on there Villie, always support the SA teams against the shackledraggers and sheep shaggers.
The LIONS are looking better…
5 in a row…but semi is still a long way away…very close…any team from 2 to 6 on the log can still make it or lose out…
We still need to improve on defense….too many teams are still scoring 4 tries against us even when we win…
Jantjies playing very well…I cannot remember when last he missed a kick at poles…
Also great with ball in hand…he missed a few too many tackles today…but still playing great….
Francis also played the best I have ever seen him play…did nothing in slow motion in today’s game….
Even Vermaak playing well again…he was less than average for some time…but the last two weeks especially he has been good…
Great weekend as a Lion…
The Highveld Lions beat Mombai Indians and the Gauteng Lions has 5 in a row now….
Will both teams have enough character for do greater things in the respective tournaments….
I had another great SB weekend…jumped from 68th to 25 in the last 2/3 weeks in the Sharksworld pool…
I need to enjoy it while it lasts…. lol