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 0-0 Lions, 10 minutes
Excellent from South Africa. Damian de Allende does what he does best, carrying well to win the gainline off first phase set piece ball, and then it is Franco Mostert looping off Cobus Reinach’s shoulder to punch another hole.
To the right and Handre Pollard feigns a kick to then dart into space, offloading beautifully for Willie Le Roux to carry on. The Lions are offside and South Africa again have quick ball, Lukhnayo Am very nearly slipping free of the grasp of Dan Biggar, but a loose pass leads to a knock-on and back for the penalty they will have to go.
Biggar stays down! The Lions’ fly-half is in real discomfort.
South Africa 0-0 Lions, 8 minutes
Good from South Africa. They chase well after a kick and then pounce smartly as Alun Wyn Jones fails to bind properly at a ruck, thus leaving the ball open to contest beyond him, and Eben Etzebeth is quickest to realise. It all gets a little too messy for the referee’s liking - South Africa were moving forward so it will be their scrum feed.
South Africa 0-0 Lions, 6 minutes
A first carry of real note for Bundee Aki, who wins his collision. It is the only one that the Lions do in an extended six or seven phase movement, though, and eventually Ali Price goes to the air.
Jasper Wiese fumbles backwards and Handre Pollard finds some grass in which to land his kick, content as it tumbles over the touchline on the second hop in the Lions’ half.
South Africa 0-0 Lions, 5 minutes
First little moment of insecurity from South Africa, who despite having three long-limbed locks in their pack throw their first lineout shorrt and low, but off the straight. Bongi Mbonambi frustratedly packs down for a scrum.
South Africa 0-0 Lions, 4 minutes
We didn’t see much of Jasper Wiese last week, but he’s lost his moustache and delivering some early thumps here, eventually taken high by Bundee Aki who raises an arm of apology after Mathieu Raynal whistles.
MISSED PENALTY! South Africa 0-0 Lions, 3 minutes
Dragged to the left of the uprights from about 30 metres out on the right hand side. 0 for 1 for Biggar.
South Africa 0-0 Lions, 2 minutes
Shades of the final Test in 2017 as Handre Pollard is deemed to have knocked on as he fails to take a high kick from Ali Price, and Jasper Wiese collects standing in front. Just as Romain Poite did four years ago, Mathieu Raynal rules that it will be a penalty - and this one won’t be going upstairs to be checked. Dan Biggar will have a go at goal...
South Africa 0-0 Lions, 1 minutes
Tick, tick on the South African checklist as Cobus Reinach’s first box kick is (a) very nicely flighted and (b) claimed brilliantly by a leaping Cheslin Kolbe. They go to the air again but this time the Lions just about win it back.
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