Jantjies shows his class to kill off Jaguares

FLY-HALF Elton Jantjies produced his best performance of the season to lead the Lions to a bruising 40-23 win over the Jaguares and set up a semi-final against the Waratahs.

Jantjies was criticised for his performances in a Springbok jersey against England in June but he controlled the match with a solid kicking display.

Wing Ruan Combrinck, centre Harold Vorster, hooker Malcolm Marx and full-back Andries Coetzee scored tries for the Lions, who have been losing finalists in the last two seasons. Jantjies kicked 20 points, including a drop-goal.

“It was tough, especially at the start of the second half when the Jaguares put us under immense pressure,” Lions captain Warren Whiteley said.

“Credit to the boys, we converted our pressure into points but there is still a lot to work on.”

Jaguares fly-half Nicolas Sanchez kicked two early penalties but the Lions gradually clawed their way into the Jaguares’ half.

A cross-kick from Jantjies found Combrinck who dived over for the first try. Jaguares then made a hash of trying to clear a kick ahead and Vorster gathered the loose ball to score before Marx intercepted and the powerful hooker raced 50m for a 24-9 lead.

Jaguares scored two minutes into the second half through Delguy but Jantjies kicked a penalty to extend the lead to 11 points.

Excellent handling saw the Jaguares sweep into the Lions half and Matera crashed over. The visitors piled on the pressure but when the Lions won a scrum penalty, they swept up field and scored their fourth try through Coetzee.