SOME FINN Lions left to Morne

Painful series loss

ALUN WYN JONES was reduced to tears in Cape Town after the broken Lions saw Morne Steyn return to haunt them again.

The same player who kicked the monster Second Test penalty in 2009 from inside his own half that won the last series against the Lions, came off the bench to deliver the killer blow.

Steyn, 37, struck the winning penalty two minutes from time in what was his first Test appearance in five years.

Jones was left red-eyed and empty as his Lions career and a tense and tetchy series ended in cruel fashion after Cheslin Kolbe had lit up the third Test with a brilliant 56th minute try for South Africa to help turn the game.

“I’m very proud of the bunch – we were in it to the death – but I’m hugely disappointed in the way it panned out,” said Jones.

“There was huge pride in what the guys put out there but to fall short on a couple of calls was a huge disappointment. I know a lot of these guys will be on the next tour so I look forward to watching them.”

South Africa showed why they are world champions but the Lions were left reflecting on what might have been after totally dominating the opening period, yet were only able to take a 10-6 lead into the interval.

The tourists, helped by the enforced early introduction of Finn Russell for the injured Dan Biggar, were a revelation in terms of their positive approach.

The Scotland fly-half’s vision and fast hands opened the space for what should have been a try in the 28th minute but with Josh Adams free outside him, Liam Williams held on and blew the opportunity.

Still, the Lions had one try to show for their efforts when Ken Owens’ mauled over in the 19th minute as they showed their intentions by repeatedly drilling penalty chances into the corner in search of more.

Half-time brought a significant momentum shift.

South Africa regrouped and came again and although the Lions came up with a magnificent 14-phase defensive set to keep the home side at bay there was nothing they could do to stop the lethal Kolbe.

There is no finer finisher in world rugby and when Lukhanyo Am and Willie le Roux combined to give him space 30 metres out one shimmy inside Williams, one press of the accelerator – and a hand-off of replacement hooker Luke CowanDickie – and he was on his way over the line.

With Handre Pollard converting, South Africa held a 13-10 lead.

When Pollard departed too, on came Steyn to set up a nerveshredding last quarter shootout with Russell, who brought the Lions level after 63 minutes with a penalty.

But as the tourists pulled down a maul Steyn drilled over a 35-metre penalty for South Africa to retake the lead.

When Am coughed up another penalty 30 metres out after Robbie Henshaw’s break with five minutes left, Russell – who did not miss a kick all day – brought the scores level.

A second successive drawn series loomed but with 78 minutes on the clock, the Lions were penalised at a tackle and – after a brain freeze by Herschel Jantjies who was fortunate to be brought back after a quick tap for taking it in the wrong place – Steyn put the kick over.

For the beaten Lions, after eight weeks away from home, they have 10 days in quarantine to stew this over. They will be lonely thoughts.