Morne van den Berg of the Lions in action against Munster. Picture: Eoin Noonan/Sportsfile/Gallo Images
The Lions suffered a 33-3 defeat at the hands of Munster in a United Rugby Championship match in Cork on Friday night, a result that will give them little confidence ahead of a tough January in Europe.
The Joburg team were coming off a big loss to the Stormers and while they had their chances to score more than a penalty, poor finishing and uncertainty about how to play smart tactical rugby in poor weather cost them in the end.
The Lions enjoyed their fair share of possession and had the wind at their backs in the first half, but failed to capitalise.
The home team were 12-3 up at the break and then cut loose in the second half, scoring a further 21 points.
In the end Munster scored five tries while the Lions had to settle for the sole penalty.
Where the Lions failed to make the most of their chances, Munster took most of their opportunities and played the conditions better.
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With their backs against the wall and having little chance of turning the tie around, the Lions succumbed to a big defeat on the scoreboard and experienced another night of learning about how to play rugby in persistent rain in European conditions.
There are also injury concerns about backs Jordan Hendrikse and Henco van Wyk, who will undergo scans on Sunday in Paris, as the team travel on Saturday. The Lions next face Stade Francais in the Challenge Cup next weekend.
For the Lions, Hendrikse kicked a penalty, while Scott Buckley (2), Jack O’Donoghue, Paddy Patterson and Liam Coombes scored tries for the home team. Ben Healey was successful with four conversions.