Having trailed for half the clash, the Lions produced a masterclass second half performance to beat the Cheetahs 43-34 in their Currie Cup semi-final at Ellis Park on Saturday.
In blisteringly hot conditions, with temperatures topping the 30 degree mark with the match starting at 2.30pm in the heat of the day, the hosts took their time before controlling the clash.
Ultimately, a fast-finishing Lions outfit did enough to book their spot in the Currie Cup final.
The Cheetahs drew first blood with a brilliant kick and chase from flyhalf Ethan Wentzel who gathered his kick before scoring under the posts. The simplest of conversions from his own try meant the Cheetahs raced to a 7-0 lead after five minutes.
Individual skill by Ethan Wentzel 🤩✨
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Wentzel sees Cheetahs out to fast start
Wentzel bagged his brace as the Cheetahs moved the ball out wide and he was the last man on the touchline, as he sprinted away from the Lions defence before darting under the posts once more as the visitors raced out to a 14-0 lead with just over 10 minutes played.
The Lions hit back in the 20th minute with a charge down from Jarod Cairns which ended with the eighthman scoring under the sticks. Lions number 10 Kade Wolhuter obliged from in front with the extra two to make it 14-7.
On the half hour mark, the Lions were over for their second try as burly prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye was not going to be brought down from inside the Cheetahs 22. Wolhuter ensured he squared matters with the conversion.
The Cheetahs forged ahead again in the 34th minute with a well-worked move out wide which saw wing Cohen Jasper dive over in the corner (19-14).
Just three minutes later, the Lions worked the ball through a number of phases as flank Ruan Venter delivered the final touches to score in the corner and once again level the scores.
Almost immediately after the restart, the Lions took the lead for the first time in the contest as the Lions produced a scintillating backline move before centre Marius Louw dived over for the score. Wolhuter nailed the conversion to see the host 26-19 ahead.
Moments later, the Lions were caught sleeping, as Cheetahs skipper Victor Sekekete sprinted away from the Lions defence after a well-worked move. Wentzel missed his attempt, but the scoreline was tight at 26-24 in favour of the Lions.
Cheetahs replacement Vernon Paulo put his side back in the lead in the 48th minute, as the rollercoaster affair continued at a furious pace (29-26).
Replacement flyahlf Sanele Nohamba levelled matters on the hour mark with a penalty to set up an intriguing final 20 minutes.
Nohamba sliced through a number of Cheetahs defenders in the 65th minute, before converting his own try to see his side out to a 36-29 lead.
A superb gather on the halfway line by Morne Brandon saw the Lions move further ahead with a score right next to the uprights. Nohamba nudged over the conversion to make it 43-29.
Replacement George Lourens hit back for the Cheetahs with a try in the 77th minute, but at 43-34 it meant the margin was too large to overcome in the final minutes of the encounter.
The Lions will play the winner of the Sharks and the Bulls in the final next week.
Scorers: Cheetahs 34 (19): Ethan Wentzel (2), Cohen Jasper, Victor Sekekete, Vernon Paulo, George Lourens. Conversions: Wentzel (2)
Lions 43 (19): Jarod Cairns, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Ruan Venter, Marius Louw, Sanele Nohamba, Morne Brandon. Conversions: Kade Wolhuter (3), Nohamba (2). Penalty: Nohamba.