South Africa’s Springboks on Friday night levelled the series against the British & Irish Lions at the DHL stadium in Cape with an emphatic 27 – 9 win.
The world champions in the traditional green and gold were all over their opponents in the opening minutes.
The Lions defended doggedly. Eventually the pressure paid off for the Springboks, who were awarded a penalty. Handre Pollard put the penalty away nicely between the posts.
Pollard had two other penalties in the first half – he missed one.
Dan Biggar for the Lions was more clinical. He scored all three penalties he took for the Lions.
Although Pollard scored another penalty in the second stanza, it was the two tries by Makazole Mapimpi and Lukhanyo Am that sealed the game for the Boks.
Pieter-Steph du Toit was injured and had to leave the field, but the Boks remained resolute.
Eben Etzebeth provided the stability with his faultless display of controlled aggression.
The Lions couldn’t get over the line much as they tried and the only points on the board were the three penalties scored by Biggar.
Mapimpi played so well on the wing he was named the man of the match. He was superb in his kick chase and finished off a fantastic try.
“That was special. For me as a leader, it’s been the toughest week I’ve ever had to face with everything,” Bok Captain Siya Kolisi.
“But I’m grateful for the management and coaches that we have.”
Owing to Covid-19 protocols there were no fans in the stadium.
