James gets champions Lions off to a good start

Butch James. By Marty Melville (AFP/File)

JOHANNESBURG (AFP) - Rugby World Cup winner Butch James kicked 21 points as Golden Lions began their Currie Cup title defence with a 43-20 home victory over Free State Cheetahs Saturday.

Deputising at fly-half for Springbok Rugby Championship squad member Elton Jantjies, James finished with an eight-from-eight place-kicking record, landing five penalties and three conversions before being substituted at Ellis Park.

Veteran James, who quit the Test scene last year after helping South Africa win the 2007 World Cup, played a key role as the Lions put a dismal Super 15 campaign behind them to collect a four-try bonus point plus four for winning.

James put the Lions ahead on 12 minutes with his first penalty and rival pivot Riaan Smit levelled three minutes later only for No 8 Derick Minnie to gather an up-and-under and storm over for a try and a lead the Lions never lost.

A smart step inside by full-back Andries Coetzee earned him a try seven minutes before half-time and the defending champions led 23-6 going into the dressingrooms.

Smit narrowed the gap to six points when he converted the second of two tries from 2012 world under-20 championship winner Raymond Rhule just past the hour mark, but the visitors from Bloemfontein failed to score again.

Lock Hendrik Roodt barged over a try that stretched the advantage to 33-20, James kicked his fifth penalty and replacement back Ruan Combrinck claimed the crucial fourth try two minutes from time.

A late drop goal from Sharks' Riaan Viljoen, promoted to fly-half as Frederic Michalak has returned to his native France, enabled the 2011 runners-up to edge Western Province 25-23 at Newlands in wet and cold Cape Town.

Province held a 13-3 half-time advantage and after conceding 12 points to fall behind, twice regained the lead before Viljoen had the final say with a sweetly struck close-range kick.

Hooker Craig Burden scored two tries and centre Paul Jordaan one for 2012 Super 15 runners-up Sharks and centre Meyer Bosman kicked two conversions and a penalty.

Hooker Tiaan Liebenberg and skipper and flank Deon Fourie crossed the tryline for Province and full-back Joe Pietersen contributed 13 points via two conversions and three penalties.

The Currie Cup season started Friday at chilly Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria with Bulls fly-half Louis Fouche -- standing in for Springbok Morne Steyn -- kicking seven penalties and two conversions in a 35-20 triumph over Griquas.