Lions storm into Super Rugby finals defeating Highlanders 42-30

Lions 42-30 Highlanders, Emirates Airline Park
Scorecard

Fly-half Elton Jantjies scored 22 points as Lions went on to defeat Highlanders by 42-30 at Emirates Airline Park on Saturday to reach the final of the Super Rugby.

The results also has brought an end to the campaign of the defending champions Highlanders and now the new champion will be decided when Lions and Hurricanes will face each other in the final.

Lions opened their account as early as in the 11th minute when Jantjies scored a converted try and seven minutes later his counterpart Lima Sopoaga scored the first points for Highlanders with a penalty.

By the 24th minute, Rohan Janse van Rensburg capitalised on a loose pass by Sopoaga to score a try and at half-time the home team were leading by 17-6.

Five minutes into the second half, Jantjies overcame the defence of Waisake Naholo and offloaded one to Courtnall Skosan which brought the third try in the game for the Lions. However, Matt Faddes returned back the favour with a try of his own, which was also the first in the game for the Higlanders.

Jaco Kriel and reserve Lourens Erasmus scored two more tries in the 54th and 73rd minute respectively to take the game away from the Highlanders, who despite scoring three tries in the last 15 minutes, finished 12 points short.