WATCH: Gargantuan ex-Springbok forward channels inner Handre Pollard to nail perfect conversion kick
Lions star Willem Alberts kicks a conversion.
Former Springbok Willem Alberts stole the show late on as he kicked a conversion for the Lions in their dominant 61-19 win over Zebre in Johannesburg on Saturday.
The scene was set perfectly for the big man to step in. The Lions had worked their way into a very powerful position, made even stronger by a late try from the rampant Emmanuel Tshituka.
Everyone would have expected the pinpoint half-back hybrid Sanele Nohamba to nudge over his ninth kick of the day but instead, the hulking frame of Alberts stood over the ball.
Fortunately for the big man the kick was pretty simple and despite his suspicious technique, he nailed the kick much to the pleasure of his teammates and coaching staff.
😂🙌 Love this from Willem Alberts! #URC #LIOvZEB pic.twitter.com/t5n17w2yWY
— Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) November 25, 2023
Solid performance
Outside of the late conversion from the ex-Springbok, it was a stunning performance from the Lions who were on the board with two tries in the first 10 minutes.
Their first half, spearheaded by the composed genius of Nohamba, resulted in five tries by the time the teams headed into the sheds.
Zebre threatened to come back into the game in the second period but the Lions retained their shape and responded with a fantastic late surge. The altitude and sweltering heat began to take their toll on the visitors.
Electric wing Edwill van der Merwe finished the game with a brace, as did young centre Henco van Wyk. Meanwhile, there were also tries for Richard Kriel, Quan Horn, Francke Horn and Morne van den Berg.
The victory moves the Lions into the top 10 of the United Rugby Championship and the side will be looking to go back-to-back next weekend when they welcome the Dragons to their lair.
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