In a thrilling display of rugby that kept fans on the edge of their seats, the Lions clawed their way to a hard-fought 42-33 victory over Lyon, thanks to a late try by supersub Morne Brandon. But here's where it gets controversial: was this a triumph of resilience or a narrow escape from another potential collapse? Let’s dive in.
On a tense Saturday evening in Johannesburg, the Lions finally secured their first win of the EPCR Challenge Cup season, breathing life into their campaign. This victory comes on the heels of their win over the Sharks the previous week, giving fans a glimmer of hope that the team might just stay alive in Europe—if they can pull off another win in Perpignan next weekend. And this is the part most people miss: despite dominating much of the game, the Lions’ performance was far from flawless, with countless errors keeping Lyon in the fight until the very end.
Brandon’s try was the perfect climax to a grueling match. The Lions, as is often the case, seemed to control the game yet teetered on the brink of losing it—a familiar spectre for their fans. But against a Lyon side that has yet to secure a win in the Challenge Cup, the Lions managed to hold on. The question remains: can they sustain this momentum, or will old habits resurface?
One undeniable bright spot was the performance of SA under-20 star Batho Hlekani, who stepped in as a late replacement for Siba Qoma and was named Player of the Match. Hlekani’s debut try, set up by a backhanded pass from Morne van den Berg, showcased his potential, and his powerful runs throughout the game left no doubt about his value to the team. But is Hlekani the missing piece the Lions need to turn their season around?
The match itself was a rollercoaster. After Hlekani’s opener, Richard Kriel and Quan Horn added tries to give the Lions control. Renzo du Plessis secured the bonus point try in the first half, but Lyon’s Alexandre Tchaptchet kept them in the game by halftime. The second half saw Lyon fight back fiercely, with tries from Esteban Gonzalez, Mathis Sarragallet, and Alfred Parisien narrowing the gap to just two points. It wasn’t until Brandon’s late try that the Lions could finally breathe easy, sparking a collective sigh of relief around Ellis Park.
Here’s the controversial question: Did the Lions win this match, or did Lyon lose it? With Lyon’s winless streak in the Challenge Cup continuing, one has to wonder if the French side’s errors played as big a role as the Lions’ resilience. What do you think? Let us know in the comments below.
Scorers:
Lions - Tries: Batho Hlekani, Richard Kriel, Quan Horn, Renzo du Plessis, Angelo Davids, Morne Brandon. Conversions: Chris Smith (6)
Lyon - Tries: Charly Mignot, Alexandre Tchaptchet, Esteban Gonzalez, Mathis Sarragallet, Alfred Parisien. Conversions: Paddy Jackson (4)
