British and Irish Lions vs South Africa LIVE: Result, final score and reaction from third Test in Cape Town
Follow all the fallout from the third Test in Cape Town
Morne Steyn stepped off the bench to break British and Irish Lions hearts for a second time by landing a late penalty to clinch a dramatic series victory for South Africa
Steyn hit the target with a minute left to snatch a 19-16 victory for the Springboks in an unbearably tense third and final Test at Cape Town Stadium. In a cruel twist of fate, the 37-year-old also sealed the fate of the 2009 Lions when he booted another late penalty that gave South Africa an unassailable 2-0 lead in a 28-25 win in the second Test.
Inspired by Finn Russell who had replaced the injured Dan Biggar, the Lions produced their best rugby of the series in a first-half they lit up with off-loads, tempo and ambition. The only concern was that Ken Owens’ 19th-minute try as part of a 10-6 interval lead was a disappointing return given the time spent in the opposition 22 and so it proved in a tense third quarter dominated by the Springboks.
Cheslin Kolbe struck with a brilliant finish to propel South Africa back in front and set-up a nerve-shredding climax to the series as Russell, Handre Pollard and then Steyn took over from the kicking tee. But trailing 16-13, the Lions rolled the dice by opting for touch instead of another three points and the gamble backfired when a scrum won after they had been held up over the line saw the Springboks win a penalty to relieve the pressure.
They did not make the same mistake twice, however, with Russell completing a long-range attempt to level the score with five minutes left, but there was still time for Steyn to strike.
Relive the deciding third Test in Cape Town:
South Africa 16-16 Lions, 77 minutes
Knocked on by Finn Russell! The two sides trade kicks and Russell can’t gather cleanly, and Damian de Allende is first to it 30 metres from the Lions line.
South Africa 16-16 Lions, 76 minutes
Seven Englishmen in the Lions’ pack now and here are two of them arriving one after another, first Luke Cowan-Dickie carrying well and then Mako Vunipola, who makes a dent.
Finn Russell grubbers through, but what is Morne Steyn doing! The ball trickles into his in-goal but he thinks it was touched by a teammate, so doesn’t ground immediately. Eventually, he realises his error. South Africa’s 22 dropout.
PENALTY! South Africa 16-16 LIONS (Finn Russell penalty, 75 minutes)
It’s true! Just as four years ago, the scores are level with limited time to play.
South Africa 16-13 Lions, 74 minutes
How’s that for a maul! A brilliant drive from South Africa but Herschel Jantjies knocks on.
Where’s Robbie Henshaw going? Right through the middle! Away from a tackler and then riding two more onwards. But surely South Africa have forced him to hold on? No! Somehow it is a Lions penalty! Lukhanyo Am came around the side to pounce on a ball he thought his side had fairly won, and Finn Russell, this time, will go for goal...
South Africa 16-13 Lions, 73 minutes
Siya Kolisi points; South Africa roar! Kyle Sinckler drops to his knee almost immediately and the captain spotted it, as did Mathieu Raynal. Penalty to South Africa! They clear! How big might that be? The coaches box rise to their feet in celebration.
South Africa 16-13 Lions, 72 minutes
Jostling from both sides, neither front row happy to engage. We’ll go again. Eight minutes left.
South Africa 16-13 Lions, 71 minutes
Conor Murray to feed, Sam Simmonds at the back of the Lions’ eight. Down. A reset. Nine minutes left.
South Africa 16-13 Lions, 70 minutes
Right, lineout...just into the hands of Maro Itoje, but South Africa sack the maul perfectly. Plan B for the Lions, and it is the forwards around the corner. Sam Simmonds has joined affairs, this is his sort of range, and Luke Cowan-Dickie’s, too, but the Exeter men can’t quite get there. Now a group go together...held up over the line. A five-metre scrum.
South Africa 16-13 Lions, 68 minutes
Still plenty of time left, of course, and the Lions turnover the ball deep in South African territory. And a penalty is coming! Vincent Koch fails to roll away and the Lions will play with advantage...
But not for long. Conor Murray is grabbed by Eben Etzebeth and throws a loose pass.
The penalty is wide on the left...and the Lions opt for the corner! Wow!
PENALTY! SOUTH AFRICA 16-13 Lions (Morne Steyn penalty, 67 minutes)
It’s over! Of course it is. A typically accomplished strike through the back of the ball from the experienced fly-half and South Africa are back ahead inside the final fifteen minutes.
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