Lions lose 29-20 at Glasgow Warriors to end URC tour pointless

The Lions came close to a first win in Scotland on Friday evening, but Glasgow Warriors edged them 29-20 at Scotstoun Stadium in their last United Rugby Championship (URC) match on tour, according to IOL.

The result leaves the Johannesburg side with nothing to show from their three games on the trip, which covered the URC and the Champions Cup. Even the losing bonus point, which they had secured by finishing within seven points, was taken away late on.

A poor first half

Glasgow led 19-3 at the break after scoring three tries without reply. IOL reported that the Lions made far too many mistakes in attack, lost possession in contact and at lineouts, and struggled in the scrum, so they repeatedly ended up defending on their own tryline after being camped near Glasgow’s.

Discipline hurt them as well. Lock Etienne Oosthuizen was shown a yellow card for foul play, and flyhalf Chris Smith went off early in the half.

Fightback falls just short

The match turned after the replacements arrived. Springbok Boan Venter, hooker Morné Brandon and tighthead Conraad van Vuuren gave the scrum fresh power, and the rolling maul became a real threat. Tries from scrumhalf Morné van den Berg, loose forward Siba Mahashe and Brandon hauled the Lions back into contention.

Brandon’s maul score in the 70th minute put the visitors ahead at 20-19, and they held on well until the 76th minute, when Ollie Smith crossed for Glasgow’s winning try. In the scramble that followed, the Lions conceded a few penalties, and George Horne kicked the one that cost them the bonus point. IOL noted that a lineout infringement had been part of the late pressure.

IOL said Van den Berg played well and suggested he looks ready for Springbok duty in the November Nations Championship Tests.

Scorers and what comes next

• Glasgow Warriors 29: tries by Fergus Watson, Dan Lancaster, Jack Singleton and Ollie Smith; three conversions and a penalty from Horne.
• Lions 20: tries by Van den Berg, Mahashe and Brandon; a conversion by Boeta Chamberlain and a penalty by Chris Smith.

The tour came after the death of Hyron Andrews, their teammate, in France. The break now gives the squad a chance to rest and spend time with family and friends.

For supporters, the next date to note is 4 December, when the URC resumes. The Lions host the Bulls at Ellis Park in the return Jukskei derby, and head coach Ivan van Rooyen and his staff will use the weeks before it to plan their response.

This story is based on reporting by IOL.