Veteran Morne Steyn has kicked a last-gasp penalty to hand South Africa a narrow 19-16 victory over British and Irish Lions in the third and final Test to seal a 2-1 victory in the controversy-laden series.
The 37-year-old reprised his heroics from 12 years ago when he did the same for the Springboks to win the 2009 series over the tourists.
After Ken Owens had gone over for the Lions in the first half of Saturday’s dramatic contest, a second-half try from Cheslin Kolbe saw the home side fight back from 10-6 down at the break at the Cape Town Stadium.
Handre Pollard also kicked two penalties, while Finn Russell converted Owens’ try and added three penalties for the Lions.
The Lions had won the first Test 22-17 but the Springboks were 27-9 victors in the second clash, with both teams admonished by World Rugby for trying to influence referees with comments through the media after a series of controversial incidents.
The Boks had said before the game this would be a bigger achievement than winning the World Cup in Japan two years ago, and it showed as they celebrated wildly at the final whistle.
“It’s been a tough series in all shapes and forms,” Springbok captain Siya Kolisi said. “It was tough game today and I’m grateful and happy how the boys responded.
“It feels a little weird because the stadium is empty. Both teams were desperate to win but we stuck to our guns.”
Springboks celebrate series victory over Lions (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
The Lions were much more positive than in the first two Tests, and at times were inventive and expansive with ball in hand, turning down kickable penalties in search of more.
But in the second half, the Boks used their brawn and brains to slow the game, stifling the territory and attacking chances for the visitors.
“We had to put it in perspective, we were very fortunate even to come on tour (due to the COVID-19 pandemic). We fell short today but there are a lot more people going through more struggles than us,” Lions captain Alun Wyn Jones said.
Lions flyhalf Dan Biggar missed an early penalty chance for the visitors, but the Welshman was forced off after 10 minutes with an ankle injury and was replaced by the excellent Finn Russell who had barely played on tour after an Achilles injury.
Pollard put the Boks ahead with a penalty after a dangerous attack into the Lions’ 22, but the visitors won a scrum penalty and Russell was able to level the score.
They were rewarded for choosing an attacking line-out rather than an easy three-pointer when Owens drove over the tryline from the back of the maul.
The Lions had most of the territory in the first 35 minutes, but when the Boks ventured into their half they won a scrum penalty and Pollard closed the gap as the Lions led narrowly at halftime.
Pollard missed two penalties, but then came a moment of magic from Kolbe that gave the Boks the lead.
A high ball was not collected by No.8 Jasper Wiese, but referee Mathieu Raynal ruled, with the help of Television Match Official Marius Jonker, that the ball had gone straight up and not forward.
Centre Lukanyo Am set fullback Willie le Roux free and when he released Kolbe, the wing showed a wicked sidestep to beat two defenders and score.
The match officials took an age to review the decision and Lions captain Alun Wyn Jones was clearly frustrated with the outcome.
The teams traded penalties, but it was the Boks who had the chance to win the game.
They won a penalty straight in front of the posts, overpowering the Lions at the scrum again, and Steyn showed nerves of steel to repeat his series-wining feat of 12 years ago.
Neil Back
Roar Rookie
Come on mate. Let's start with the blindingly obvious. In the professional era the Lions have a series win ratio of just 25%. The home union should more likely be expected to win. I don't really need to say anything else, but hey, it's a lockdown. To repeat the almost as blindingly obvious, Lions teams, by their very nature, are always underdone too. They are largely a team of strangers, coached largely by strangers. If you still haven't understood the red herring of 'the best of four nations' by now, you probably never will and fundamentally don't understand team sport. Pre test games are critical given this ever present reality, and playing Japan does nothing to prepare them for SA. The mid week club opposition was woeful on this tour. The Boks were practically identical to the Boks who took them to a RWC. Different water boy though. The only thing the Lions had in their favour was fitness. As soon as the Boks realised they would probably lose in a straight fist fight over 80, they cynically slowed everything down to a complete bore fest. I don't blame them for that, as in doing so they took away any advantage this Lions group would have had over any other tour before them. No one can take that RWC away from you, and nor should they. But you've got some neck to brag about your ranking and RC title when you've never allowed the former to be tested and dodged the Championship. Aren't you even in the slightest bit embarrassed to brag about this as an accomplishment? Unfortunately for rugby, this 'feat' you just pulled off will largely be remembered for the cynicism of your coach, both on and off the field. Win at all costs has exactly that.
Zipline
Roar Rookie
The game evolves....it you notice there are now many chips over the top....everyone is doing it...the Boks in the World Cup and in the Lions series.The Boks winning game has been on defence first....for eons.The greatest game I watched was a free flowing game in 2011 which the Boks lost in Joburg against the Kiwis.So what does a coach do to keep his job...he gets his team to win,I havnt been happy about the way rugby has evolved for the Boks...seem to have too many enemies now....but then if you're number one they gonna come at you.
Smythy
Roar Rookie
Looking forward to Morne Steyn being wheeled onto the pitch in 12 years ????
Smythy
Roar Rookie
Don't get that view! Certainly not true from a SAFA perspective ????. Boks scored more tries than the lions this series, and 1 less point than the All Blacks did in the last Lion series.
docrugby
Roar Rookie
Agreed but I miss tours in general.
Neil B
Guest
If that's true, I am glad we won it.
Neil B
Guest
Well apparently we can control refs through the power of video, so I wouldn't rule it out.
Neil
Guest
I'd like to add they were also the top points scorers in WC 2019, 2nd only to NZ on the try count (36 to 33). Mapimpi finished the tournament second highest try-scorer on 6 tries. Bryan Habana remains the second highest try scorer in the history of rugby with 67 tries. I could go on, but delving to deep into the facts may be a bit much. Regardless, facts don't care about anybody on this threads feelings. What I do think is interesting though, is that perhaps the accusation is rather the way in which those tries and opportunities are created. I saw earlier that people were saying Tom Curry was very poor and costly to the Lions. From a Springbok perspective, I thought he was their player of the series, and would be walking into our team at 8th man. And that perhaps highlights the style difference very well.
Aussieinexile
Roar Rookie
Congratulations to the Boks, what a series. I have to give credit where is due (grudgingly :silly: ). Lions had their chances in the first half particularly and will regret not taking the shots at goal offered with the possession they had. To more important point, the fact still remain it was a monumental task in logistics in getting this tour going despite the pandemic raging and also no fans of any stripe which is what the Lions Brand bring to the local economies. Also the Medical staff who tested and kept both sets of players in relative safety despite the early hiccups. If this type of touring is a template without fans, then a review of Rugby touring must be done. Just like the Olympics, credit for both teams and support staff for fronting up.
Pieter Botes
Roar Rookie
Why do u watch ? Go watch League if you don't understand union
Pieter Botes
Roar Rookie
Wow - That is rich - do you listen to Kearnsie and the Ozzie commentators ? Don't know which Tv commentators you listen to for the Lions/Boks game but really i listened to those on stans and replayed it . What r you talking about? I really hope its not true because i got sick of the Whinging Kearnsie and don't ever put their sound on. Typical of fans criticizing boring rugby and don't know union really. As if the Wallabies r the only team running and not kicking. It's a fact, if you don't have the players for running rugby you play a different game. The Wallabies also go to a kicking game when they don't get anywhere and they did. Rugby go through phases where some teams have brilliant Backline and then other have for instance brilliant loose forwards. And that why there is a big difference between wiggle,wiggle(league) and union (true forwards rugby as well) . So if you like League type - watch it. Wiggle wiggle - run looking for a gap - wiggle wiggle - Wiggle wiggle - run looking for a gap - wiggle wiggle -eventually they get through.
TRhing-me
Roar Rookie
Agree! the Lions had some of the best backs ever in a lifetime and they chose to kick away possession. The tactics of pressure rugby was ludicrous.
Double Agent
Guest
That's a relief! :laughing:
1eye
Roar Rookie
what happens when everything else fails you have two teams kick da bomb boring as hell... you ask yourself ,world cup winning rugby .....really?
Muglair
Roar Rookie
:laughing: I was replying to Hika's comment on SA commentators. Their angst is useful as they tell you just where to look to confirm the referee was on the ball. As for on-field intrusions, gone from silly to ridiculous. Maybe a positive from the Lions series will be the Rassie Rule greatly restricting the number and qualifications of on-field staff and the circumstances where they can come on the field.
Lockie
Roar Rookie
If you want running, go watch sevens rugby - good, exciting, quality rugby and all the running you want.
Lockie
Roar Rookie
Crushing somebody 60 - 13 is not only boring but it's immoral because it does very little, except financially, to uplift Fijian rugby. The Fijians can say it was an honour to play the ABs, but what else do you expect them to say? They are justifiably a proud people. Anybody who has been on the receiving end of these lopsided scores the ABs love delivering -- no chance, no tension – will know it leaves a sour taste in everybody mouth. Give me the Lions vs Boks any day.
vonManstein
Roar Rookie
Perfect thanks. It’s good to know your stance. :D
Flyman
Roar Rookie
Go do your research - the British were the inventors of concentration camps, that together with the scorched earth policy so that the could lay their greedy paws on the wealth of the Free State and Transvaal Boer Republics. The British were the ones who brought in the indentured labour to the mines and the Natal sugar cane industry, so don't even talk about who the creators of apartheid were. And for your info - I'm of Scottish heritage, arrived in SA with the 1820 settlers.
Goblin
Guest
Salty bae :silly: