The usually attack-minded Lions failed to come to terms with the conditions and made numerous unforced errors against a team that has not conceded a try during the playoffs.
With the hopes of a nation on their shoulders, the Lions were under pressure from kick-off and were unable to handle the defensive prowess of the home side.
Tauriq Ebrahim rates the Lions players!
15 Andries Coetzee
His positional play will come under scrutiny while his decision making in relieving pressure was not up to standard.
3/10
14 Ruan Combrinck
There were glimpses of what he is capable of but he could not handle the amount of pressure he was put under.
4/10
13 Lionel Mapoe
Very quiet game as he saw minimal ball, which was no fault on his own, and was forced into a very defensive role.
5/10
12 Rohan Janse van Rensburg
The standout backline player by a country mile as he broke the gain line with almost every carry. It's hard to believe that he is just 21-years-old.
8/10
11 Courtnall Skosan
Another player who saw very little of the ball and was highly suspect under the high ball.
4/10
10 Elton Jantjies
Struggled to handle the Hurricanes' line speed and seemed rush into making decisions. His passing and kicking game was nothing short of poor.
3/10
9 Francois de Klerk
His usually crisp service was nowhere to be seen and it also seemed as if he left his tactical kicking boots back home.
4/10
8 Warren Whiteley (captain)
He looked like a passenger on the field and one can only but think that he was not 100 percent going into the contest.
3/10
7 Warwick Tecklenburg
His work rate was exceptional and goes about his business in a non-flashy manner, yet everything he does is highly effective.
7/10
6 Jaco Kriel
He attempted to be busy at the breakdowns but was completely shut out of the game by his opponents.
4/10
5 Franco Mostert
Very productive all over the park and his performance proved why he should be starting on the international stage.
7/10
4 Andries Ferreira
Outplayed in every facet of the game and his carries were ineffective at best.
3/10
3 Julian Redelinghuys
Had a good tussle at scrum time and showed a strong right shoulder but all that good work was offset by some poor carries.
4/10
2 Malcolm Marx
Missed his jumper on a few occasions at line-out time but other aspects of his game remain a threat.
6/10
1 Dylan Smith
Slipped a few tackles but put his opponent under some pressure in the scrums.
5/10
Replacements:
16 Armand van der Merwe (on for Marx, 70 mins)
Not enough time to be rated.
17 Corne Fourie (on for Smith, 70 mins)
Not enough time to be rated.
18 Jacques van Rooyen (on for Redelinghuys, 74 mins)
Not enough time to be rated.
19 Lourens Erasmus (on for Ferreira, 73 mins)
Not enough time to be rated.
20 Ruan Ackermann (on for Whiteley, 70 mins)
Not enough time to be rated.
21 Ross Cronje (on for de Klerk, 68 mins)
Attempted to push the pace but the damage had already been done.
5/10
22 Howard Mnisi (on for Janse van Rensburg, 64 and 74 mins)
Not enough time to be rated
23 Jaco van der Walt (on for Coetzee, 70 mins)
Not enough time to be rated.
