Lions Edge Out Jaguares

The Lions edged out Los Jaguares, winning 24-21 this afternoon. It took a late penalty from Springbok Elton Jantjies to seal the result. The result sees Los Jaguares returning to Buenos Aires with a 0-3 record from their tour to South Africa.

Unlike the losses against the Sharks and Bulls, today’s defeat saw Los Jaguares playing well. The performance was also much better than the corresponding fixture from 2016. The Argentine side was sharp on attack and far better behaved on defense. No players were yellow carded today, an accomplishment within itself.

Los Jaguares were straight out of the blocks. A superb start saw Matías Orlando finishing off a team try. It was converted by Nicolás Sánchez but rather than send the Lions into shock it woke them up.

The lions hit back through their forwards. Looking to send a message up front, the Lions were able to suck in defenders and, with it, advance their way into Jaguares territory. The plan proved to be effective as centers Harold Vorster and Lionel Mapoe scored in quick succession. Accuracy from Jantjies put the Lions 14-7 ahead.

A late opportunity to rescued the lead was not taken. Smart work got Los Jaguares to within striking range but not enough to score a try. Sánchez then had a long-range penalty attempt which narrowly sailed wide.

A vastly different Jaguares approach was seen as the second half got underway. Flanker Rodrigo Báez and second-rower Guido Petti both finished off impressive work to put Los Jaguares 21-14 ahead.  With Vorster yellow carded it appeared as if it would be Los Jaguares’ day.

A further miss from Sánchez meant the lead would not be extended. It was the inability to take such opportunities which cost Los Jaguares the chance to win. Combined with defensive frailties in the first half tries, Los Jaguares missed out on a win despite being the better performers.

The home side would not give up. Late in the match the Lions would find their way over the try line. Scoring was Ruan Ackermann. The flanker’s try was converted by Jantjies. This leveled the scores.

Jantjies then completed the comeback, his late penalty secured a home triumph. The penalty came from a Jaguares scrum infringement. As was the case against the Sharks and Bulls, the scrum was exposed and cost Los Jaguares possession, territory and points.

Los Jaguares play again next Saturday. The fixture will be a welcome return to Buenos Aires. Scheduled for April 29, the Argentine side will be out for revenge on the Sharks.

On the grand scale the performance was encouraging for Los Pumas. Stepping up today were Rodrigo Báez, Benjamín Macome, Marcos Kremer and Matías Orlando. All four are in the team as back-up rather than starters with an eye to international duty.

SCORERS
LIONS
Try: Vorster, Mapoe, Ackermann
Conversion: Jantjies (3)
Penalty: Jantjies
Yellow Card: Vorster

JAGAURES
Try: Orlando, Báez, Petti
Conversion: Sánchez (3)

LIONS
15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Madosh Tambwe, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Harold Vorster , 11 Courtnal Skosan, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Ross Cronje, 8 Warren Whiteley (Capt.), 7 Ruan Ackermann, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Andries Ferreira, 3 Johannes Jonker, 2 Armand vam der Merwe, 1 Corne Fourie

Replacements: 16 Malcom Marx, 17- Jacques van Rooyen, 18- Run Dreyer, 19 Lourens Erasmus, 20 Albertus Smith, 21 Faf de Klerk, 22 Jacques Nel, 23 Sylvian Mahuza

JAGUARES
1 Lucas Noguera Paz, 2 Agustín Creevy (Capt.), 3 Ramiro Herrera, 4 Guido Petti, 5 Marcos Kremer, 6 Tomás Lezana, 7 Rodrigo Báez, 8 Benjamín Macome, 9 Felipe Ezcurra, 10 Nicolás Sánchez, 11 Bautista Ezcurra, 12 Jerónimo de la Fuente, 13 Matías Orlando, 14 Santiago Cordero, 15 Ramiro Moyano

Replacements: 16 Roberto Tejerizo, 17 Santiago García Botta, 18 Enrique Pieretto, 19 Ignacio Larrague, 20 Pablo Matera, 21 Gonzalo Bertranou, 22 Joaquín Díaz Bonilla, 23 Emiliano Boffelli

Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Kick-off: 2pm (Argentina)
Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
Assistants: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand) and AJ Jacobs (South Africa)
TMO: Willie Vos (South Africa)