The Sharks were crowned 2024 Currie Cup champions after they pipped the Lions 16-14 in a dramatic final at Ellis Park on Saturday afternoon thanks to Jordan Hendrikse.
Fullback Jordan Hendrikse knocked over a 60m penalty kick after the hooter to give the Sharks a last-gasp win over the Lions in an epic Currie Cup final.
For all the talk of the slow death of this prestigious competition, the Currie Cup produced another final for the ages, proving that SA Rugby’s flagship domestic tournament is alive and well.
The Lions looked to have all but secured the title when they won a late turnover penalty and opted to set a lineout, one from which they just had to secure possession and then kick the ball out into touch to mark their triumph.
But oddly, with time up on the clock, the hosts opted to go for an attacking maul. As they powered forward, the ball was turned over in the maelstrom of bodies and came out on the Sharks side.
This allowed the visitors to launch one last counter-attack and soon their endeavour and bravery from deep inside their own half was rewarded when the Lions were pinged for a breakdown infringement and Hendrikse stepped up to take the decisive kick from 59m out.
Despite the pressure of the occasion weighing down on him, the 23-year-old coolly launched his long-range effort over the crossbar to sink his former team and earn his new team their first Currie Cup title since 2018.
WATCH: HENDRIKSE SWINGS CURRIE CUP RESULT WITH MASSIVE KICK
MATCH RECAP: LIONS VS SHARKS
The scores were tied at 0-0 at the break, but the final came alive in the second half, with Ethan Hooker’s try the first points of the game.
Siya Masuku converted and added a penalty goal, while Hendrikse landed two penalty goals for the Durbanites.
The hosts scored two converted tries, by Nico Steyn and Siba Qoma, and only had to put the ball into touch at the end, but they lost possession, the Sharks were awarded a penalty and Hendrikse did the rest.
2024 CURRIE CUP SCORERS
Lions 14 (0) – Tries: Nico Steyn, Siba Qoma. Conversions: Sanele Nohamba.
Sharks 16 (0) – Try: Ethan Hooker. Conversion: Siya Masuku. Penalty goals: Masuku, Jordan Hendrikse (2).
HOW WOULD YOU RATE THE HENDRIKSE PENALTY KICK?
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