31 Jul 2016

Lions take down Highlanders

6:47 am on 31 July 2016

The Highlanders have failed to make it an all-Kiwi affair in the Super Rugby final, after losing 42-30 to the Lions.

Faf de Klerk is tackled by Aaron Smith during the semi-final match.

Faf de Klerk is tackled by Aaron Smith during the semi-final match. Photo: AFP

The defending champion Highlanders were outscored five tries to four by the Lions in Johannesburg.

See how the action unfolded here.

Lions first-five Elton Jantjies showed his full array of skills in the semi-final at Ellis Park, scoring his team's opening try and setting up another with a sublime cross-field kick.

The South Africans now head to Wellington, after the Hurricanes made the final for the second successive year, with a 25-9 win over the Chiefs in the capital.

Beauden Barrett, Willis Halaholo and Victor Vito scored tries for the Hurricanes and Barrett kicked two penalties and two conversions.

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