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:
South Africa 3-10 Lions, 21 minutes
The Lions have looked very, very good since Finn Russell arrived, and South Africa are just starting to make silly errors. Franco Mostert has had his red warpaint removed and is back with us but gives a sly eye in the direction of Duhan van der Merwe before stepping across his path as the wing chases a high kick - spotted by the officials, and a penalty the Lions way.
TRY! South Africa 3-10 LIONS (Ken Owens try, 19 minutes)
There’ll be no stopping that! South Africa do well initially and appear to be guiding the maul backwards and towards the touchline, but the Lions cleverly shift the point of emphasis of their drive to spin away and leave five Springboks’ forwards out of the competition.
Ken Owens rides the bodies and flops over. Finn Russell converts superbly from the left and the Lions have a seven-pointer.
South Africa 3-3 Lions, 18 minutes
A concern for South Africa now. Siya Kolisi stays down holding an arm or a wrist, but a word from Neil Jenkins, Lions’ kicking coach, does the trick and Kolisi is back on his feet to defend the driving lineout.
South Africa 3-3 Lions, 17 minutes
A noticeable zip to the Lions’ atttack as they play near halfway. Finn Russell is illustrating much of it after an initial half-break from Jack Conan, a kick-pass to get outside the blitz, while Ali Price keeps the tempo up. Russell brings a pair of inside runners onto the carry nicely, and the second of them is caught in a high tackle. For the corner...
PENALTY! South Africa 3-3 LIONS (Finn Russell penalty, 16 minutes)
Very calmly popped over by Finn Russell, who doesn’t kick regularly for Racing 92, of course. From just right of centre and 30 metres and bisecting them perfectly.
South Africa 3-0 Lions, 15 minutes
Down once more and this time it is South Africa penalised! Steven Kitshoff slips his bind, turns in and collapses under the weight of Tadhg Furlong and is duly pinged. Finn Russell will have his first shot at goal.
South Africa 3-0 Lions, 14 minutes
The Lions win a free kick and take the scrum option again, and after problems last week the Cape Town surface is again churning beneath the cart horses and ploughs. A reset as it stands up and then collapses.
South Africa 3-0 Lions, 13 minutes
Liam Williams hurdles one tackling arm but is dumped on his back by an enormous hit from Jasper Wiese, appearing to lose it in the force of the tackle. The officials don’t spot it, though, and Wiese is very harshly penalised for not releasing after picking up the loose ball. The Lions kick to the corner, but the error is spotted and it will be a scrum.
Oh dear - Franco Mostert is a vision in red as blood pours from his face like a river bursting its banks, and he’ll have to go off to be patched up. Kwagga Smith takes his place.
PENALTY! SOUTH AFRICA 3-0 Lions (Handre Pollard penalty, 12 minutes)
No mistake from the tee from Handre Pollard. A simple enough strike from just right of centre on the edge of the 22. First blood - South Africa.
South Africa 0-0 Lions, 11 minutes
He’s struggling. Really struggling. Biggar can barely put weight on his leg after catching it awkwardly as he made the tackle on Am to the outside, and it looks like there is already some strapping on his right knee. He tries his best to prove his fitness but eventually requires the assistance of the medical team to provide a supportive shoulder each as he hops off. Finn Russell comes on - a very different fly-half on much earlier than he might have bargained for. This could be fun.
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