Hello everyone! Welcome back to another presentation on IN THE WHITE. Hope you all are in good health. Today’s writing piece will see the end of my writing sequence related to the 2021 CASTLR LAGER LIONS SERIES, with an overview of the third and final test match of the series and conclude by revisiting the competition as a whole.
Game 3 Overview
With the CASTLR LAGER LIONS SERIES hanging in the balance after two matches, the third and final match of the tournament did not end in disappointment as it was packed with high intensity and great excitement as both teams fought hard to win the trophy which the Springboks won in 2009.
The 19-16 win of the Boks was similar to the victory 12 years ago where Morne Steyn’s penalty goal proved decisive, right towards the end of the second half.
The Lions played a really good first half by keeping the ball in hand and enjoying some really good field positions.
I liked the attitude and approach of the Lions players particularly as they went for five points even though potential three points were on offer.
This is something not often seen in the game of 15’s, especially in a tight and tensed affair such as this.
However, continuous pressure by the Lions saw them being rewarded with a try of their own when Ken Owens crossed over from a driving maul in the 19th minute of play.
The try was successfully converted by Finn Russell, who replaced an injured Dan Biggar who kicked a penalty goal earlier in the half to level both sides 3 all in the initial stages of the game.
The visitors were 10-6 up at the break with two penalty goals from the boots of Handre Pollard which earned them the six points.
Another key point I feel it important to highlight is that the referee did penalize both teams for closing up during lineout time.
This infringement is quite rare as players generally know that there has to be a gap between them and the opposition during a lineout phase. But this not the case as player eagerness came into play and match official Mathieu Raynal (France) was quick to get his arm out for a penalty.
The second half was more intense as both sides had only the last 40 minutes to decide the series which could have easily tipped in either direction given it was just four points in it.
It was a bit scrappy second half as both teams knocked the ball forward at times, slowing the pace of the match but that did not dip the intensity of the game very much as some piece of attacking by the Springboks saw winger Cheslin Kolbe go over for the hosts followed by Pollard’s conversion making it 13-10.
The last ten minutes saw a dramatic end to the series as Finn Russell struck a beauty of a penalty goal from distance and locked both side at 16 all with five minutes remaining on the clock.
It was Morne Steyn who came off the bench late in the second spell and struck a 79th minute penalty goal which gave them a 19-16 lead.
The Lions could have possibly won it at the death as they had reclaimed possession from the restart and were in a good field position with a scrum to feed which they failed to make the most of.
Overview of the Series
Looking at the entire Lions Tour there were a lot of challenges surrounding the series due to the COVID-19 Pandemic and later political unrest in South Africa were causing tension to the Lions on whether the games would take place or not.
The cancellation of the second test between the Springboks and Georgia because of positive COVID-19 results among players and staff of both teams.
When I look at how the three test matches went by, I must agree that it did meet the expectations from fans of both sides given the challenges the organizers were faced with.
There was a time when it seemed the tour would not take place because of the Pandemic but gladly it did happen despite no fans allowed in the stadium and all three matches being played at the Cape Town Stadium as a precautionary measure to stop the spread of the virus, I believe no true rugby fan can be disappointed especially how he series decider shaped and an unforgettable climax.
The 19-16 win see the Springboks take out the series 2-1, after losing the first test 22-17, the Boks bounced back to win the second and third tests respectively to keep the trophy in South Africa for another 12 years.
For the British & Irish Lions a lot of positives can be taken regardless of the defeat as they did extremely well in the buildup matches against the South African Lions teams, the Sharks, South Africa’s A side as the opening and turd tests of the series.
With that being said, I conclude my writing series on the 2021 CASTLE LAGER LIONS SERIES and hope you enjoyed reading them.
I’ll now leave you with the highlights of all three Springboks v Lions matches. Thank you and enjoy the highlights.
IN THE WHITE 