Match Report
| South Africa | 28 | vs | 25 | The British and Irish Lions |
| Tries. Pietersen, Habana, Fourie | Tries. Kearney | |
| Conv. M.Steyn (2) | Conv. Jones (1) | |
| Pen. F.Steyn (1), M.Steyn (2) | Pen. Jones (5) | |
| DG. | DG. Jones (1) |
The British and Irish Lionsvs South Africa (2nd Test)27th June 2009JenkinsReesA.JonesShawO'ConnellCroftWallaceHeaslipPhillipsS.JonesRobertsO'DriscollBoweFitzgeraldKearney The British and Irish Lions
- 1. Jenkins
- 2. Rees
- 3. A.Jones
- 4. Shaw
- 5. O'Connell (c)
- 6. Croft
- 7. Wallace
- 8. Heaslip
- 9. Phillips
- 10. S.Jones
- 11. Fitzgerald
- 12. Roberts
- 13. O'Driscoll
- 14. Bowe
- 15. Kearney
-
Subs:
- Ford,
- Sheridan
(A.Jones, 45),
- Wyn Jones
- Williams
- Ellis,
- O'Gara
- Williams
South Africa
- 1. Mtawarira
- 2. du Plessis
- 3. Smit (c)
- 4. Botha
- 5. Matfield
- 6. Burger
- 7. Smith
- 8. Spies
- 9. du Preez
- 10. Pienaar
- 11. Habana
- 12. de Villiers
- 13. Jacobs
- 14. Pietersen
- 15. F.Steyn
- Subs:
- Ralepelle,
- Carstens,
- Bekker
- Rossouw
- Brussow
- Fourie
- M.Steyn
Match Report
The Lions lost the match and the series but they certainly went down fighting. A try after only 4 minutes from Kearney set the tone for the first half, and saw the Lions go in at the break with a 16-8 lead. The second half belonged to the Boks however. They hit back with 2 tries and won the game with the last kick of the game.
The Lions looked as if they were heading for a draw after Jones slotted his fifth penalty of the game but replacement fly-half Morne Steyn broke the hearts of Lions' players and fans alike with a massive 54 metre penalty in the dying seconds.
After scoring 14 points in the last 12 minutes only a week ago, the Lions knew they had to start well and came flying out of the blocks. Jones put the first of his 20 points on the board after only 2 minutes with a finely struck penalty. The Lions were awarded the penalty after Springboks flanker Schalk Burger had been sent to the sin bin for making contact with Luke Fitzgerald's eyes.
With South Africa down to 14 men the Lions took full advantage as they further increased their lead through a wonderful try from full-back Rob Kearney.
A superb offload from Stephen Jones kept the ball alive and Kearney did the rest, supplying an impressive solo finish from 30 metres out. With Tommy Bowe in support, JP Pietersen could not commit to the tackle, this gave Kearney the extra space he needed as he kept his opposite number Francois Steyn guessing what he would do next. With both hands on the ball he forced his way over the line to score his first try of the tour.
Again Jones effortlessly slotted the conversion from wide on the right hand touchline. This set the tone for an immaculate kicking display from the Scarlet's and Wales fly-half. Scoring 20 points in all, he made history by becoming the highest scoring Lions' player in a Test match against Southern Hemisphere opposition.
The Lions continued to dominate territory and possession in the first half, but the Springboks showed a glimpse of genius as they hit back with a try of their own after 13 minutes.
Quick lineout ball allowed Boks scrum-half Fourie du Preez to drift across the field and find Pietersen who had made a searing run from deep. He ghosted through the Lions defence to touch down for his 11th try in the green and gold of South Africa.
After such a good first test Pienaar's kicking was not up to scratch this time. His missed a relatively easy conversion from just 10 metres to the left of posts as the ball rebounded off the far post. Despite the missed conversion the home side had given the Lions a sharp reminder of what they are capable of.
The second penalty of the half from Jones again opened the gap to two scores. It came after South Africa number 8 Pierre Spies had failed to roll away deep in Springbok territory. McGeechan’s men put the Boks under severe pressure as they made tackle after tackle after tackle until they gave away the penalty.
The Lions further increased their lead through a close range drop-goal from the magic Stephen Jones. After runs from Fitzgerald and Wallace the tourists were able to build a platform as they held onto the ball through 10 phases of play. Jones further increased his tally as he coolly notched another three points.
South Africa pulled the score back to eight points with a penalty from Francois Steyn on the stroke of half time. Jamie Roberts was pulled up for crossing as the Lions opened up a gap on the right hand side of the field. Steyn reduced the tourists lead to 8 points as his penalty sailed over the crossbar with ease.
The Lions went in at half time 16-8 up. They looked impressive and had dominated the Springboks in every area, especially at the set piece where they suffered in the first test. With such a convincing first half display few could have predicted what would happen in the second half.
The game was forced into uncontested scrums as the Lions lost props Gethin Jenkins and Adam Jones to injury's. This really upset the Lions flow and was a massive setback for the tourists as they had looked so strong in the first half.
A substitution 16 minutes into the second half changed the game in the Springboks favour. With fly-half Pienaar not delivering with the boot South African coach Peter de Villiers brought on Bulls No.10 Morne Steyn. He ensured that no more points would go a-miss with a truly outstanding kicking display.
Another well-taken penalty from Jones increased the Lions lead once again until Brian Habana re ignited South African hopes with a truly wonderful try. Replacement centre Fourie fixed the Lions defence with a strong inward running line allowing the 2007 IRB World Player of the Year to slice through the opposition back line and touch down for the Boks second try of the game.
Morne Steyn made an immediate impact as he added the extras and reduced the Lions lead to a single point with a coolly taken penalty five minutes later. The Lions failed to roll away in the tackle and were punished by the boot of the superb Steyn.
Stephen Jones’ kept up his 100-per-cent record intact as he increased the under pressure Lions' lead to 4 points with 10 minutes remaining on the clock.
The injury ravaged Lions then lost centres Roberts and Brian O’Driscoll one after another, with Williams and O'Gara coming on as replacements. The Boks made light work of this make-shift back line and capitalised when Fourie crashed over to score in the corner. This sent the home side into the lead for the first time in the match.
Morne Steyn again stepped up to the plate and nailed the touchline conversion with ease. This high pressure kick finally put the Boks in control as they moved 3 points clear with 6 minutes to play.
It looked as if the game was over and the home side would play out the last 5 minutes and clinch the series. However the action was far from over; substitute Andries Bekker caught Jones with a high tackle. Jones calmly stepped up and drilled the penalty over the posts from 40 metres out to write his name in the history books. This drew the tourists level and a series defeat did not seem to be on the cards after all.
However, in a cruel twist of fate, it was Morne Steyn and South Africa who eventually secured victory with 80 minutes on the clock. He nailed the 54 metre penalty to put the Springboks 3 points ahead and gain himself legendary status for the next 12 years.
It was such a tense and incredible finish to a test match. This win puts South Africa 2-0 up in the series and leaves the Lions playing only for pride in the third test in Johannesburg next Saturday.
