In a tightly contested United Rugby Championship match, Cardiff managed to defeat the Lions 20-17 at Arms Park on March 21, 2025. This crucial victory boosts Cardiff's hopes of making the play-offs, while the Lions are left to ponder their performance amid missed opportunities.
The match started with high expectations as both teams were coming off disappointing losses and were eager to secure a top-eight spot in the league. The Cardiff squad, led by scrum-half Johan Mulder, showed resilience and determination, and in front of a home crowd of 6,235, they put their best foot forward from the outset.
The Lions struck first when prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye powered over in the 11th minute after a series of early attacks. Gianni Lombard added the conversion, giving the Lions an early 7-0 lead. However, in a gripping turn of events, Cardiff leveled the score just nine minutes later. Ben Donnell scored a try with a precise finish after a powerful individual effort set up by Johan Mulder's tackle that earned a penalty. Callum Sheedy converted the try, shifting the momentum back to Cardiff.
With the first half progressing, it became clear that the Lions' initial dominance was not translating into a decisive lead. Despite maintaining possession and territory, they fell victim to a stubborn Cardiff defense, which kept them at bay. The next critical moment came in the 32nd minute when Sheedy kicked a penalty, putting Cardiff ahead 10-7. As halftime approached, it looked like the Lions might regain the lead, but a try from Nico Steyn was disallowed after a video review confirmed a forward pass, leaving the Lions trailing at the break.
As the second half commenced, Lombard managed to level the score with a penalty at the 44-minute mark, before trading penalties with Sheedy, which saw Cardiff hold a narrow 13-10 lead.
The turning point of the match came in the 59th minute when Lions captain Francke Horn burrowed over for a well-deserved try, putting the Lions back in front at 17-13. However, that lead was short-lived. Harri Millard, the Cardiff winger, intercepted a pass from Marius Louw just outside his 22 and sprinted 60 meters to score in the corner, reclaiming the lead for Cardiff at 20-17.
The Lions were presented with a final opportunity to regain control and claim the match, but Gianni Lombard was shown a yellow card for a deliberate knock-on, hampering their chances in the dying moments. In a final attempt to threaten the Cardiff defense, the Lions pushed hard within Cardiff's 22 but failed to score, resulting in a crucial win for Cardiff.
As the dust settles on this important match, the Lions are left reflecting on their poor finishing and missed opportunities, crucial in such a pivotal encounter in the race for a playoff spot. Meanwhile, Cardiff's performance has instilled belief within their squad, marking a significant win in their campaign.
