Flyhalf Jordan Hendrikse slotted a 59-metre penalty after the hooter to break the Lions’ hearts and kick the Sharks to a 16-14 Currie Cup final win.
The Sharks trailed the Lions 12-14 when they got a penalty on the their own 10-metre line with the rain still pouring down after miserable day in Johannesburg. But Hendrikse backed himself and kicked the most important three points of his life help the Sharks to victory.
The weather definitely played a part, as this was one scrappy showpiece match at Ellis Park. It was a stop-start affair, as both teams struggled to control the ball in the wet.
After a brutal and error-strewn first half, the first points of the final finally came in the 51st minute when Sharks left winger Ethan Hooker scored a stunning try in the corner. It was the best passage of play in the match, as he rounded off an attack that was launched from inside their own half.
The Lions, however, hit back five minutes later when scrumhalf Nico Steyn crossed the whitewash after taking a quick tap-penalty close to the tryline.
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— The Carling Currie Cup (@TheCurrieCup) September 21, 2024
Sharks flyhalf Siya Masuku put his team in front in the 65th minute before the Lions were reduced to 14 men for 10 minutes after replacement prop Juan Schoeman was yellow-carded for a high hit on Hendrikse.
Hendrikse then stepped up and slotted a superb penalty from close to the touchline to put the Sharks 13-7 in the lead with 11 minutes to go.
However, the Lions must have thought they had won the match when replacement flank Sibabalo Qoma barged over the line from close range with five minutes to go. Flyhalf Sanele Nohamba slotted the conversion to give the home side a one-point lead.
The Lions were in control of the situation with a lineout in the Sharks’ half. However, they lost possession and the Sharks got a penalty to win the match.
The conditions didn’t make the kick easy, but Hendrikse kept his cool and slotted the penalty to start the party in Durban.