Xerox Golden Lions captain, Jaco Kriel, and coach, Johan Ackermann, paid tribute to the team spirit of the Johannesburg side who beat DHL Western Province 32-24 at Emirates Airline Park on Saturday to clinch the Absa Currie Cup and finish the season unbeaten.
The Lions achieved the rare feat of a perfect season with 12 out of 12 wins as they stormed home to lift the coveted Cup they last won in 2011 at the same ground. Although not filled to capacity, the noise of the home fans created an incredible atmosphere inside the famous Highveld stadium and carried the hosts to their eleventh title win of the competition.
The Lions achieved the rare feat of a perfect season with 12 out of 12 wins as they stormed home to lift the coveted Cup they last won in 2011 at the same ground. Although not filled to capacity, the noise of the home fans created an incredible atmosphere inside the famous Highveld stadium and carried the hosts to their eleventh title win of the competition.
"I want to thank our wonderful supporters. My team - there's no team that's got character like you guys," an emotional Kriel said afterwards. Ackermann also had high praise for his side's team spirit and he too made mention of the tremendous home support.
"We are one big family and the players really fight for each other. They worked so hard throughout the season and I am pleased for them. We made a good start and Province fought back bravely, but our incredible fans showed fantastic support and I am glad the guys could reward them with a good display," said Ackermann.
The Lions outgunned the visitors with four tries to three, with scrumhalf Ross Cronje helping himself to two tries. He was awarded with the Absa Player of the Match prize afterwards.
WP skipper Juan de Jongh also paid tribute to the faultless record of the Lions this season.
"To Jaco and his boys, well done on a great, perfect season," said De Jongh. "We tried it in 2013. It's awesome for you guys, whatever you're building now it's working for you. Credit to the Lions, they deserved the Cup because they had a wonderful season and today they were the better team," said De Jongh.
"Our goal was to play in the final but we made too many errors in the first half. We fought back in the second half but the Lions defended very well. It's very important that we go back and rectify our mistakes for next year," added De Jongh, who also thanked the Western Province faithful for their supporter throughout the season.
WP played in their fourth consecutive final and were aiming for a second consecutive title win. Last year they beat the Lions 19-16 in the cup final in Cape Town.
"We are one big family and the players really fight for each other. They worked so hard throughout the season and I am pleased for them. We made a good start and Province fought back bravely, but our incredible fans showed fantastic support and I am glad the guys could reward them with a good display," said Ackermann.
The Lions outgunned the visitors with four tries to three, with scrumhalf Ross Cronje helping himself to two tries. He was awarded with the Absa Player of the Match prize afterwards.
WP skipper Juan de Jongh also paid tribute to the faultless record of the Lions this season.
"To Jaco and his boys, well done on a great, perfect season," said De Jongh. "We tried it in 2013. It's awesome for you guys, whatever you're building now it's working for you. Credit to the Lions, they deserved the Cup because they had a wonderful season and today they were the better team," said De Jongh.
"Our goal was to play in the final but we made too many errors in the first half. We fought back in the second half but the Lions defended very well. It's very important that we go back and rectify our mistakes for next year," added De Jongh, who also thanked the Western Province faithful for their supporter throughout the season.
WP played in their fourth consecutive final and were aiming for a second consecutive title win. Last year they beat the Lions 19-16 in the cup final in Cape Town.
By: Farai Diza
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