Lions 42 Highlanders 30
Outhalf Elton Jantjies displayed a full array of skills to propel the Lions into their first Super Rugby final as they ended the reign of New Zealand's Highlanders with a 42-30 victory in their semi-final at Ellis Park on Saturday.
The Lions will meet the Hurricanes in the New Zealand capital Wellington next Saturday to decide the title, confirming the regular-season standings where the two teams finished first and second.
Jantjies scored his team's opening try, kicked over key points and provided the highlight of the game – a crossfield kick in the second half that found his captain Jaco Kriel on the wing and allowed the loose forward to go over for a sublime try.
Lions did ride their luck at times but outscored the defending champions by five tries to four.
The Johannesburg-based franchise had been perennial strugglers in the competition but underwent a recent renaissance and Jantjies’s contribution of 22 points confirmed their transformation.
The Springbok outhalf crossed over first in the 12th minute in what was effectively a team try as the Lions sped the ball through several phases before Jantjies was able to burst through their defence and cross over with a short sprint.
An error in the Highlanders' backline allowed Rohan Janse van Rensburg to pick up a stray pass and run more than half the field to extend the Lions' lead in the 24th minute.
That misfortune for the visitors was compounded soon after when flanker Elliot Dixon dropped the ball as he was attempting to dot down, having already crossed the Lions' try line after some brilliant handling and pop passes from the Highlanders' backs.
A 17-6 lead at half-time was extended straight after the break by Jantjies converting a tough penalty and then breaking the line to put Courtnall Skosana free for the third try for the Lions and a 25-6 lead in the 46th minute.
Centre Matt Fades scored as the Highlanders made a quick response but another penalty from Jantjies was followed by his brilliant vision in the 55th minute to set up Kriel and effectively secure the result.
Liam Sopoaga scored for the visitors in the 66th minutes but any thoughts of a dramatic comeback ended when Lourens Erasmus scored for the South African side with seven minutes to go.
There were two late consolation tries for Highlanders but Waisake Naholo and Joe Wheeler's late efforts served only to reduce the winning margin.
