The Super Rugby season has been a fairytale campaign for South Africa's Lions, after losing in last year's final.
Pulled out of the competition as recently as 2012 by the SA Rugby due to poor results, the Johannesburg-based side returned in 2013 and have not looked back.
Last year, the Lions reached the Final for the first time, but lost 20-3 to Hurricanes. This season, they have pushed on from last year's disappointment.
The 2017 season has been the team's best in their history. On Saturday afternoon, they played New Zealand's Crusaders in the Final. On front of their home fans in Ellis Park, the Lions trailed 12-3 just before half-time before a moment of madness changed the fortunes of the team.
Flanker Kwagga Smith was sent off by referee Jaco Peyper, for dangerous play on Crusaders full-back David Havili. Smith ran into Havili, while the full-back was in the air trying to catch the ball.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tK1xLL0rg6g
Smith failed to bring Havili to ground safely, with the fall-back falling hard to the ground. Peyper told the South African Sevens star he had no choice but to give him a red card.
Crusaders would go on and score a penalty, on the back of the foul. They led 15-3 at the break, and won 25-17 to win their record eighth title, and first since 2008.
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