(Reuters) – Jordan Hendrikse kicked over a last gasp penalty from near the halfway line as the Sharks edged the Lions 16-14 in Saturday’s Currie Cup final, securing South Africa’s long standing domestic competition for the first time since 2018.
His penalty came two minutes after the end of game hooter for a holding on infringement in midfield and Hendrikse expertly slotted it over.
The Lions had been on course for home success at Ellis Park after substitute forward Siba Qoma crashed over for a 75th minute try and flyhalf Sanele Nohamba converted for the hosts to go 14-13 ahead with time running out.
There was no score in a tense encounter until 12 minutes into the second half when Sharks winger Ethan Hooker sprinted almost half the length of the field to go over in the corner.
But within five minutes, Nico Steyn had pulled the home team level with a try at the end of a powerful drive.
Sharks flyhjalf Siya Masuku put his side back ahead with a long range kick in the 65th minute and Hendrikse added another penalty from close to the touchline to see the Sharks 13-7 up.
But the Lions regained the lead and look to be running down the clock before the mistake handed the Sharks a chance to snatch away success.
(Reporting by Mark Gleeson)
