By the skin of their teeth, but the Lions are back in Super Rugby. But how cruel, how very, very cruel for the Southern Kings.
Not given a chance, the men from the Eastern Cape produced an inspired performance here last night, silencing the 50000-odd fans after staging a stunning fightback late in the game and ultimately winning the contest.
But it was not enough for the Kings to stay in Super Rugby after the Lions picked up the bonus points they needed to pip the Kings.
After their 26-19 win in Port Elizabeth in the first leg of the play-offs, the teams ended the ties level on five log points, with the Lions winning through by two points, the difference last night being five.
It was edge of the seat stuff throughout, with the overwhelming feeling among the Lions and their fans being that of relief, while the Kings will feel completely gutted. They will sit out of Super Rugby next season, something many will feel they don’t deserve – especially not after their showing throughout the regular season and again last night.
There was plenty of tension in the corridors at Ellis Park during the week, knowing just how much was riding on last night’s result. Several employees’ careers were on the line, while players and coaches alike were waiting on the outcome of last night’s game before deciding on their futures.
The Lions, now able to hang on to and draw new sponsors ... and possibly players, may just be able to build a team worthy of playing in Super Rugby.
For the Kings, the future looks bleak. They have already lost Alan Solomons, the outstanding director of rugby who worked wonders in the Eastern Cape and is heading for Edinburgh in Scotland, while several players are sure to seek employment elsewhere.
As they did all season, the Kings showed tremendous fight and determination to never give up, especially after taking a beating in the scrums where JC Janse van Rensburg was outstanding, and turned the game on its head when they scored two late tries to give themselves a chance of staying in Super Rugby.
When Jaco Kriel scored his team’s second try close to the hour mark to give the Lions a 18-9 lead it looked all over for the men from Port Elizabeth.
But a missed penalty by Elton Jantjies soon afterwards and a yellow card to Stokkies Hanekom rejuvenated the Kings and they scored two quick tries by Schalk Ferreira and Scott van Breda to leave the game on a knife’s edge. The Kings enjoyed a five-point buffer with five minutes to go, but they needed to win by more than seven points.
The Kings dominated the first half, kicking brilliantly into the corners and piling the pressure on the Lions and it took the hosts all of 30 minutes to get on the board, Jantjies slotting a penalty. But just before the break, Derick Minnie scored a try to put his side ahead, but Van Breda’s third penalty moments later gave the Kings the lead.
The Lions were a nervous lot in the opening 40 minutes, and only for about 20 minutes after the restart did they look like a team who wanted to return to Super Rugby.
Kriel’s try put them ahead, but it was the Kings who finished the stronger and they’ll be shattered at losing out by a two-point margin.
The Lions may have triumphed here last night, but spare a thought for the Kings players and their fans.
Lions (8) 18
Tries: Minnie, Kriel; Conversion: Jantjies; Penalties: Jantjies (2)
Kings (9) 23
Tries: Ferreira, Van Breda; Conversions: Van Breda (2); Penalties: Van Breda (3) - Sunday Independent