After a successful three-match tour, the Lions crashed at Ellis Park on Saturday.
According to Times Live, Ulster beat them 39-37 in their United Rugby Championship (URC) match, improving the visitors’ chances in this competition.
This match was thrilling but not for the faint-hearted. In the suffocating highveld heat, teams fought to survive.
As the game progressed, bodies littered the park. It was UFC-like.
By the fourth quarter, chasing downfield kicks was less appealing. As Ellis Park’s shadows lengthened, the play appeared in “slow motion.”
Ulster led 36-18 after 52 minutes.
Emmanuel Tshituka led a spirited Lions rearguard, but they lost.
The Ulstermen may be good at game management, abrasive, and tough in contact, but the Lions contributed to their own demise.
They kicked poorly and made many basic mistakes.
The Lions lost the match on either side of the break as Ulster scored three tries while centre Henco van Wyk was suspended.
Ulster started strongly.
Robert Baloucoune scored after the Lions gave up a breakdown turnover on the halfway line in the third minute.
Ulster, organized, coordinated, and cohesive, especially when the ball went down, beat the Lions.
Tshituka’s unexpected turnover in the 21st minute gave the Lions a crucial turnover while on the back foot.
Francke Horn burst into a gap with Ulster committed to attack and no one in the back field to stop the No.8.
The Lions led for a while, but another poor Jaco Visagie feed at a defensive line-out gave Ulster a lifeline before halftime. Visitors squeezed the scrum. Billy Burns scored after Van Wyk was yellow-carded at the goalline.
The Lions should avoid Visagie-like moments. It devalues their hard work.
After the break, Ulster surged ahead. The Lions responded well but paid for their past mistakes.
