The Lions were awarded the match points on offer after their game against Griquas in Kimberley was called off due to heavy lightning on Saturday.
The Lions took the win because they were 20-17 ahead when play was suspended.
The Lions had the majority share of territory and possession in the first half, but Griquas made the most of their few opportunities when they did get the ball.
The hosts sped out to 17-3 lead within 30 minutes courtesy of tries by hooker Hendrick Luus, wing Eduan Keyter and James Verity-Amm. One aspect of their game was a huge let-down during that opening period – Tinus de Beer’s kicking off the tee. The flyhalf succeeded with only one of his three conversion attempts.
There was a late surge by the Lions before the break with wing Courtnall Skosan bagging a quick-fire brace. Notwithstanding De Beer’s poor goal-kicking return and the Lions’ two-try response, Griquas had done just enough to take a slender 17-13 into the break.
The same pattern followed early in the second half with the Lions applying all the pressure. Only this time, the visitors were rewarded for their dominance with referee Marius van der Westhuizen awarding them a penalty try following repeated infringements by Griquas on the tryline.
No sooner had the Lions taken the lead when Van der Westhuizen was called to action again, this time to halt the match due to heavy lightning.
Griquas – Tries: Hendrick Luus, Eduan Keyter, James Verity-Amm. Conversion: Tinus de Beer.
Lions – Tries: Courtnall Skosan (2), Penalty try. Conversion: Automatic conversion. Penalty: Elton Jantjies.
Griquas – 15 James Verity-Amm, 14 Daniel Kasende, 13 Berton Klaasen, 12 Johnathan Francke, 11 Eduan Keyter, 10 Tinus de Beer, 9 Zak Burger (c), 8 Johan Momsen, 7 Stefan Willemse, 6 Gideon van der Merwe, 5 Cameron Lindsay, 4 Adre Smith, 3 Ewald van der Westhuizen, 2 Hendrick Luus, 1 Nqobisizwe Mxoli.
Subs: 16 Monde Hadebe, 17 Andrew Beerwinkel, 18 John-Roy Jenkinson, 19 Mzwanele Zito, 20 Carl Els, 21 Theo Maree, 22 Andre Swarts, 23 Enver Brandt, 24 Bandisa Ndlovu, 25 Ewan Coetzee, 26 Masixole Banda.
Lions – 15 EW Viljoen, 14 Stean Pienaar, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Burger Odendaal, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Elton Jantjies (c), 9 Morné van den Berg, 8 Len Massyn, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Willem Alberts, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Jaco Visagie, 1 Sti Sithole.
Subs: 16 Jan-Henning Campher, 17 Dylan Smith, 18 Wiehahn Herbst, 19 Reinhard Nothnagel, 20 Roelof Smit, 21 Ross Cronjé, 22 Dan Kriel, 23 Tiaan Swanepoel, 24 Jannie du Plessis, 25 Wilhelm van der Sluys, 26 Manuel Rass.
Photo: Lions Rugby/Twitter
