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Cardiff punish Lions in Arms Park opener

football27 September 2025 21:00
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Cardiff reminded Ivan van Rooyen and his Lions that the Currie Cup is not the Vodacom United Rugby Championship, outmuscling the South African visitors 33–20 in a wet and error-strewn opener on Saturday night.

Played on Arms Park’s 4G surface, the Welsh region looked sharper throughout, especially in attack, while the Lions struggled with predictability and poor execution. Their one-up runners were easily contained, and a slew of turnovers - well into double digits - compounded their problems.

The only bright spot for the Lions came at scrum time, where they held the edge. But even that couldn’t offset the lack of imagination and the mounting errors.

Cardiff opened the scoring through centre Ben Thomas, who burst through after sustained pressure. Fullback Cam Winnett added a second after a flowing team move, with Callum Sheedy converting both for a 14–3 lead.

The Lions hit back through flank Ruan Venter, after a penalty gave them field position. Flyhalf Lubabalo Dobela converted and added a penalty soon after to narrow the gap to 14–13.

Cardiff then had a try disallowed after Thomas was cited for a dangerous clear-out. His yellow card was upgraded to red via the bunker system, but the Lions failed to capitalise fully.

The visitors took the lead early in the second half, No 8 WJ Steenkamp scoring off a dominant scrum. Dobela’s conversion made it 20–14.

Back to full strength, Cardiff regained control. Flank Alex Mann finished off a sustained attack, and replacement hooker Evan Lloyd scored twice, once sneaking around the blindside of a maul, and again from a rolling maul. That sealed the result. Sheedy converted two of the three second-half tries.

The Lions will be disappointed with their lack of composure and creativity, especially after leading early in the second half. Cardiff, meanwhile, will be pleased with their ability to absorb pressure and finish clinically.

Scorers:

Cardiff: Tries - Ben Thomas, Cam Winnett, Alex Mann, Evan Lloyd (2). Conversions - Callum Sheedy (4).

Lions: Tries - Ruan Venter, WJ Steenkamp. Conversions - Lubabalo Dobela (2). Penalties - Dobela (2).

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