The British and Irish Lions have lost 27-9 to South Africa in the second Test in Cape Town, with the three-match series now level at 1-1.
South Africa backs Makazole Mapimpi and Lukhanyo Am have scored second-half tries as the Springboks beat the British and Irish Lions 27-9 to win the second Test at the Cape Town Stadium and level the series.
Handre Pollard added five penalties and a conversion for a 17-point contribution while the Lions points all came off the boot of Dan Biggar in a niggly and ill-tempered contest on Saturday that was again one for the purists rather than the enthusiast.
The result sets up a decider next Saturday after the Lions had won an attritional first Test 22-17.
The Lions were 9-6 up at halftime but the Springboks bounced back with a dominant second-half performance.
They scored 21 unanswered points in the second period, a reversal from the first Test when it was the Lions who roared to the win with forward dominance after halftime.
“That was special, it was what we needed,” South Africa captain Siya Kolisi said. “It has been a tough week. For me, personally, as a leader it has been the toughest week I have had to face.
“But I’m thankful for the coaches who made us focus on the mistakes we made in the first Test. Our maul and scrum was much better this week.
“I’m grateful we stood up to the challenge, that is how I know us as a team.”
The Lions were clearly fired up from the start, led by captain Alun Wyn Jones, as they piled into tackles and beat the Boks back, but it was the home side who took the lead from an early penalty.
Biggar then slotted two penalties to put the Lions in front before both sides were reduced to 14 players within a few minutes of each other.
First Duhan van der Merwe received a yellow card for a cynical kick at the shins of Bok wing Cheslin Kolbe before the latter was also sent to the sin-bin when he upended Lions scrumhalf Conor Murray in the air.
It was a contentious moment that could have seen him given a red card, but he was perhaps saved by the fact he had his eyes on the ball all the way and there was a lack of malicious intent.
South Africa levelled through a Pollard penalty just past the half-hour mark, but Biggar added to his tally and the Lions led 9-6 at the break.
Handre Pollard of South Africa Springboks passes the ball. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
The Boks, crucially, struck first in the second period when they swarmed into the Lions 22, and Pollard’s cross-kick was collected by Mapimpi on the right wing and he was able to score the first try of the game.
Both teams emptied their benches onto the pitch just before the hour mark, and it was the Boks who came out the stronger.
They drove a maul a full 25 metres into the Lions’ 22, scrumhalf Faf de Klerk’s clever grubber kick was pounced on by Am just before it went over the dead-ball line and the home side led by nine points.
They continued to force the Lions into errors at the breakdown and set-piece, and Pollard extended the lead with his boot.
“The momentum shift was like last week, but this time in South Africa’s favour,” Lions captain Jones said.
“We came off second-best in the breakdown and aerial battle in the second half.
“They had the ascendancy with their maul game and we have plenty to work on.”
FunBus
Roar Rookie
What multiple high hits? The two tackles the whole SH wet themselves about were not high. This isn’t a ‘debate’ you can watch them as many times on YouTube as you like. ‘They let him get away with stuff.’ What? When?
pm
Roar Rookie
Multiple high hits. Worst was last year. But no, disgrace is too strong, he's not unique in that. My issue is more with the way he's refereed: they let him get away with stuff very few others do.
Kane
Roar Guru
Neither were cited which means an independent commissioner with all the evidence decided they did not meet the red card threshold.
FunBus
Roar Rookie
Could you actually list the reasons why Owen Farrell is such a disgrace to rugby?
FunBus
Roar Rookie
It’s irrelevant whether Kolbe ‘never took his eye off the ball’ according to the laws and repeated statements about how refs would interpret them in this area. Other decisions include the Kolbe-Curry head clash which WR have been saying all year is the tackler’s fault and produced many red cards let alone yellow. Then the bizarre ignoring of Faf’s high tackle on Murray - treated on the pitch as if it had never happened. O’Keefe looked like a scared referee - and who could blame him?
FunBus
Roar Rookie
Not sure what the ABs overall record’s got to do with them being comfortably beaten in a RWC semi-final in 2019, which was the original topic you raised, but each to their own.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
In your opinion bus, but in mine, it was a bad day for the AB's. Try observing, the overall for & against mate, with your lot. Not good is it. So the fact remains, the AB's were the only team to beat the Bokke, at that tournament.
FunBus
Roar Rookie
Hilariously, if the South African referee knew what a scrum looked like, the Wallabies could have had a kicker that landed them from 70 metres and it wouldn't make a difference. Of course the main point is that Flatley kicked very well that day. But, I know 'facts' are a problem for Saffas.
FunBus
Roar Rookie
Erasmus has obviously created the culture. But, it seemed clear to me that Kolosi was hinting at 'racism' and I think the poisonous culture Erasmus has created now means you can't differentiate between him and the players.
FunBus
Roar Rookie
Scarily, compared to the Boks - yes.
FunBus
Roar Rookie
Again, this is typical South African idiocy. I was complimentary about the SA performance in the RWC Final in the immediate aftermath, whilst pointing out a number of things that went against England, none of which were the Boks fault. Up until this Lions tour I was supportive of them joining the Six Nations. Now, I'd be happy never to play them other than RWCs.
FunBus
Roar Rookie
I'd rather watch Mongolian Throat warbling for the rest of my life than support a team Erasmus was involved in.
FunBus
Roar Rookie
What is that Owen Farrell DOES (apart from the fact he's English) that so deeply offends Aussies and Kiwis? I remember the complete hysteria three years ago of two tackles, none of which were anywhere near the head, or dangerous. It's a bit weird.
FunBus
Roar Rookie
I don't know how you define the word 'fluke' where you live, Muzzo, but the ABs could still be playing today and wouldn't have created a try in that SF (unless George overthrew another lineout on the 5m line). It was the most comfortable 12 point win I think I've ever seen, including two disallowed tries, the second of which was dubious at best. There is some truth to the idea that Jones had planned for 2 years for the ABs and 2 days for the Boks, though. That combined with some poor selection decisions, which he admits, and the Sinckler injury after two minutes explains the RWC final.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Yep so much like RL. Those scrums are so massive in RL, even a clean out, is the same. Lol :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
OracleRugby
Roar Rookie
How much for a travel card?
OracleRugby
Roar Rookie
Why do you say this?
Kent Dorfman
Roar Rookie
nah mate, it's become like RL in that it is now a bashathon one off the ruck running (like the RL hit ups), it is now like RL but with 15 on the park.
Joe
Roar Rookie
I live in the NH, and watch most of my rugby here. so I don't mind a bit of stick it up your jumper stuff. I was listening to Keith Wood and Brian O'Driscoll on the 'off the ball' podcast today. Keith Wood said it was an appalling game of rugby to watch. I'm going to agree with him.
moaman
Roar Guru
50-50? My book had that at 99.5-0.5.