Kwagga ignites the fire as Lions snatch a semi-final berth

fully- deserved lead.

Robert du Preez’s men dominated all aspects of the early exchanges. They were especially good in defence and at the breakdowns, winning several turnovers off their hosts.

It didn’t help the home side that Jaco van der Walt missed two fairly easy penalties in the first half, leaving them with plenty to do after the interval.

Then again, it could have been a bigger Sharks lead at halftime had Bosch also not missed two late shots at goal. The Junior Springbok star, though, landed a penalty soon after the restart to put the Sharks 13- 0 up.

The Lions, finally, found some fire and captain Kwagga Smith scored a stunner of a try.

A further three- pointer, after Sharks flank Francois Kleynhans was pinned for a tip- tackle on Van der Walt, left the visitors just three ahead.

Bosch slotted another penalty to ensure the Sharks went six points clear, but the Lions hit back courtesy of Howard Mnisi from a quick- tap penalty, and a penalty by Andries Coetzee, for the hosts to edge in front for the first time in the contest.

And, with 10 minutes to go until the final hooter, the Lions took a nine- point lead thanks to a Sylvian Mahuza touchdown, the speedy replacement finishing off after the Lions had taken another quick- tap penalty to catch the Sharks defence off guard.

The Lions wrapped things up in the 77th minute when the visitors were reduced to 14 men for the second time – Andre Esterhuizen sin- binned for a shoulder charge on Jacques Nel – and Coetzee helped himself to three points.

HOW TO CATCH A SHARK: Jaco van der Walt stops Inny Radebe at Ellis Park yesterday.