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Ruan Combrinck the saviour as Lions stay on course for Super Rugby showdown with the Crusaders

The season’s best two sides post quarter-final wins, as do the Hurricanes and the Chiefs

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Ruan Combrinck kicks the winning penalty as the Lions overcome the Sharks. Photo: EPA

Leading contenders the Golden Lions and Canterbury Crusaders are one game away from playing off for this season’s Super Rugby title after contrasting victories this weekend.

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South Africa’s Lions, who finished top of the regular season standings, needed a huge late penalty goal from Ruan Combrinck to scrape home 23-21 over the Coastal Sharks in Johannesburg.

The Lions will face a New Zealand team for the first time this season, against defending champions Wellington Hurricanes, in next weekend’s semi-finals. If the Lions win they will host the final on August 5.

The Crusaders, bidding for their eighth Super Rugby crown, ground out a 17-0 win over the Otago Highlanders in driving rain to reach the last four.

The Crusaders have to negotiate an all-New Zealand semi-final against the Waikato Chiefs to advance to the final.

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Lions' player Sylvian Mahuza is tackled by the Sharks' Phillip van der Walt during the Super Rugby quarter-finals. Photo: AFP
Lions' player Sylvian Mahuza is tackled by the Sharks' Phillip van der Walt during the Super Rugby quarter-finals. Photo: AFP
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