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Lightning Lions surge past Griquas in weather-delayed clash

football06 September 2025 18:33| © MWP
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The Fidelity ADT Lions edged out the Suzuki Griquas 22-17 (15-7) in their Currie clash at Emirates Airline Park in Johannesburg on Saturday.

Kick-off was delayed by over an hour due to severe weather, but unlike the fans who braved Mother Nature, Griquas could do little to weather the storm the Lions unleashed.

Griquas struck first through Lourens Oosthuizen in the fourth minute, with George Whitehead adding the conversion to give the visitors an early lead.

 But ambitions to shine brightly like Kimberley diamonds were soon dashed.

Nico Steyn thought he had opened the scoring for the hosts, but the TMO ruled a tackle without the ball in the build-up.

The Lions regrouped quickly and their breakthrough came from Henco van Wyk, who hit a switch pass at pace and crossed the line.

Chris Smith converted to level the scores.

Momentum shifted further in the Lions’ favour when Richard Kriel finished off a sweeping attack to put the hosts ahead.

Smith missed the conversion but added a penalty before the break, extending the lead to 15-7.

Kriel’s unconverted try ensured the Lions were in control at halftime, while Griquas’ troubles deepened with Mnombo Zwelendaba sent to the sin bin in the 38th minute.

PATIENCE, PRECISION AND PUNCH

The second half began more subdued. Steyn was first over the whitewash again, this time with no TMO intervention.

Angelo Davids then stole the show, running the length of the field for a solo effort.

Quan Horn added the final flourish with a touchline finish after an intercept and slick handling.

Smith contributed two more conversions and another penalty to round off a dominant performance.

The Lions will take heart from a display that combined patience, precision and punch.

Their ability to absorb early pressure and shift gears with clinical execution bodes well for the campaign ahead after finishing top of the log.

For Griquas, the challenge will be to regroup quickly and rediscover the spark that saw them strike first -- before the lightning did.

© Written by Antoinette Muller

SCORERS:

Fidelity ADT Lions – Tries: Henco van Wyk, Richard Kriel, Nico Steyjn, Angelo Davids, Quan Horn; Conversions: Chris Smith (3); Penalties: Chris Smith (2)

Suzuki Griquas – Tries: Lourens Oosthuizen; Conversions George Whitehead (1)

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