The Golden Lions claimed the 2011 Currie Cup after a brilliant performance in the final in Johannesburg on Saturday as they beat the Natal Sharks 42-16 in an entertaining game. It's their first piece of major silverware since 1999.Â* Coached by Kiwi John Mitchell, the Lions had a fantastic season as they were fairly unaffected by the World Cup and endedÂ*top of the table. The Sharks on the other hand missed a lot of key players in the last two months, but when they all returned for the big game, they didn't gel.Â* "The Lions were, without doubt, the best team on the park and worthy winners of the Currie Cup - we just have to take it on the chin," said Sharks captain Keegan Daniel.Â*"We're disappointed we didn't convert opportunities into points in the first half when we had territory and possession, but you can't win finals with the ill-discipline we showed. Getting to a final is one thing, but you need to produce a great game, which we couldn't do. The Lions were phenomenal," he added. It is the Lions' first home victory in a Currie Cup since 1950, so it was a massive moment for the union that lifted the first ever Super Rugby competition, the Super 10, way back in 1993.Â* Young flyhalf Elton Jantjies was outstanding on the day, kicking everything asked of him and marshalling his troops expertly. He's had the experience and know-how of Carlos Spencer to call on, and it showed. While Sharks fullback Pat Lambie seems to be a long term option for the Springboks number ten slot, Jantjies is tipped by many to be an ideal candidate.Â* On the other side of things veteran Wickus Van Heerden, who captained the side without success a few years back before moving to the Bulls in search of bigger things, said that it was one of the best experiences of his career. "To see a packed Coca-Cola Park is very special. I know where we have come from as a team, and this is unbelievable," he said. Van Heerden has now won the Vodacom Cup, Currie Cup, Super 14, and the World Cup.Â* CJ Van Der Linde was yellow carded for a dangerous tackle, which is included below, but that didn't affect the Lions at all as they scored some great tries while Jantjies kept the scoreboard ticking over.Â*Below are highlights of what was a thoroughly enjoyable game of rugby.