British and Irish Lions vs South Africa LIVE: Result, final score and reaction from third Test in Cape Town
Follow all the fallout from the third Test in Cape Town
Morne Steyn stepped off the bench to break British and Irish Lions hearts for a second time by landing a late penalty to clinch a dramatic series victory for South Africa
Steyn hit the target with a minute left to snatch a 19-16 victory for the Springboks in an unbearably tense third and final Test at Cape Town Stadium. In a cruel twist of fate, the 37-year-old also sealed the fate of the 2009 Lions when he booted another late penalty that gave South Africa an unassailable 2-0 lead in a 28-25 win in the second Test.
Inspired by Finn Russell who had replaced the injured Dan Biggar, the Lions produced their best rugby of the series in a first-half they lit up with off-loads, tempo and ambition. The only concern was that Ken Owens’ 19th-minute try as part of a 10-6 interval lead was a disappointing return given the time spent in the opposition 22 and so it proved in a tense third quarter dominated by the Springboks.
Cheslin Kolbe struck with a brilliant finish to propel South Africa back in front and set-up a nerve-shredding climax to the series as Russell, Handre Pollard and then Steyn took over from the kicking tee. But trailing 16-13, the Lions rolled the dice by opting for touch instead of another three points and the gamble backfired when a scrum won after they had been held up over the line saw the Springboks win a penalty to relieve the pressure.
They did not make the same mistake twice, however, with Russell completing a long-range attempt to level the score with five minutes left, but there was still time for Steyn to strike.
Relive the deciding third Test in Cape Town:
MISSED PENALTY! South Africa 6-10 Lions, 54 minutes
Another miss from Pollard! This one is tougher than the last but again he pulls it to the left-hand side of the sticks. With dead-eye Morne Steyn amongst the substitutes, these could be crucial.
South Africa 6-10 Lions, 53 minutes
It’s a penalty! Kolbe does slip and drop his height dramatically, but there is significant contact to the head. That means further sanction is not justified, and you would say that is about the right call from Raynal and TMO Marius Jonker. Alun Wyn Jones protests, but Handre Pollard will have a go at the posts.
Lood de Jager has left the field - Franco Mostert moves up into the second row with Kwagga Smith injecting some dynamism in the back row.
South Africa 6-10 Lions, 52 minutes
An outstanding tackle from Robbie Henshaw brings down Handre Pollard as the Springboks’ tried to get the fly-half to the outside after using Cheslin Kolbe off his blinside wing at first receiver. Even better from the Lions as Josh Adams, I think, manages to nick the ball.
Finn Russell slices his clearance and there are screams from the South Africans as he then connects nastily with a slipping Cheslin Kolbe who had danced past a couple on his kick return. Kolbe slips late, but Russell’s bicep slams into his nose. Referee Mathieu Raynal will send it upstairs...
South Africa 6-10 Lions, 51 minutes
Stalemate - pats on the back for both front rows as all six pop up their noses from the grindstone in unison. No infringement, so a reset called.
And South Africa fancy more scrummaging fun as the Lions concede a free kick.
South Africa 6-10 Lions, 49 minutes
Duhan van der Merwe and Jack Conan combine to force Jasper Wiese into touch after the number eight comes down from gathering the latest high bomb. The Lions take the lineout but then execute the next bit wrongly, Ali Price having to turn on the transfer down from the top and then forcing Conan into further difficulty, with the Irishman only able to knock on.
MISSED PENALTY! South Africa 6-10 Lions, 48 minutes
Off the post! A poor miss, really, from Pollard, driving the ball with a reasonably low flight but dragging across it in the process. It thumps against the outside of the left-hand upright and back into play.
South Africa 6-10 Lions, 47 minutes
And it will be from that distance that Pollard will line up a penalty after the Lions infringe in midfield.
South Africa 6-10 Lions, 45 minutes
Play they do but despite strong carries from Jasper Wiese and Franco Mostert, and a wiggle and a weave from Handre Pollard, they find little joy. Eventually Pollard tries to hoist a kick but finds only a blocking Lion, the ball spinning on to the boot of Finn Russell. A slicing toe means it will remain South Africa’s ball, but with a lineout near the ten-metre line.
South Africa 6-10 Lions, 44 minutes
The Lions close the gap at the lineout but South Africa are happy to have another go as they take that option with the free kick. They throw bodies into a driving maul, both centres adding their mass, but the Lions answer well, with Bundee Aki playing a role in quelling the drive. The Springboks will thus play wider.
South Africa 6-10 Lions, 43 minutes
Right - two minutes after that and we finally set the scrum after Rassie Erasmus has brought the South African players some water and messages.
And Wyn Jones is struggling again. He concedes the penalty under pressure from Frans Malherbe and immediately grabs his back, wincing in pain. Mako Vunipola appeared to have been already stripped and ready so you would imagine his injury was discussed at half-time - Jones takes a seat, still grimacing, and Vunipola steps in. After his destructive performance off the bench in the First Test the Lions will hope for similar impact.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments