The Lions slumped towards the bottom of the United Rugby Championship points table on Sunday when they lost to the team that usually occupies that sad position — Zebre — who snatched a 22-20 win in Parma.
The Lions lost 33-20 to Cardiff last week, and this latest result means they have now lost three matches in a row, going back to the Currie Cup final defeat to Griquas.
Last year, the Lions started strongly in the URC before losing their way and failing to qualify for the play-offs — something they have never achieved. So is this to be another year of sorrow for their fans?
To be fair, the team from northern Italy are hardly the pushovers they once were. They have been building nicely for two years now and have occasionally beaten top-ranked teams, including the Sharks.
Given that Zebre went three years without winning a game, last season’s five victories marked a significant turning point.
Their opening try, on 12 minutes, was a beauty — the Italians turned over the ball in their own 22 and, many phases later, flank Bautista Staville scored at the other end of the field.
Lions flyhalf Chris Smit pulled back three points, and then the visitors were fortunate to have another try by Staville chalked off because a would-be tackler was obstructed. But the home team were not to be denied a few minutes later when a line-out maul cruised over for a 12-3 lead that would be the half-time score.
Lions substitute hooker Morne Brandon barrelled over from close quarters to give the Lions hope, but it was their turn to have a try disallowed.
In such a tight game — with half an hour to go — it was a massive moment. But the Lions did not give up, with a breakout attack from deep within their half culminating in SJ Kotze scoring in the corner. And when former Griquas and Sharks flyer Eduan Keyter finished an attack that started from deep, the Lions led 13-12.
Zebre retook the lead as the game moved past the three-quarter mark, with replacement fly-half Roger Farias kicking his team into a 15-13 advantage.
Brandon scored a try — that this time was allowed — to give the Lions what should have been a match-winning 20-15 lead.
But the Italians kept hammering away, and it was prop Matteo Nocera who nailed the score in the 79th minute to secure his team the victory.
Scorers
Zebre (12) 22
Tries: Bautista Staville, Matteo Nocero (2); Conversions: Roger Farias (2); Penalty: Farias
Lions (3) 20
Tries: SK Kotze, Eduan Keyter, Morne Brandon; Penalty: Chris Smit; Conversion: Smit
