Lions get up for last gasp win

The Lions won a thrilling 23-22 victory over the Cheetahs in the opening game of the Super 14 to exact revenge for their Currie Cup defeat in October last year.

The Cheetahs won a nail-biting final to clinch South Africa's domestic championship and an equally tense fixture was eventually decided by two late penalties by Earl Rose to clinch it for the Lions.

The lead changed hands several times as both sides tried desperately to attack, giving fans value for money.

The Cheetahs started strongly and as early as the second minute saw winger Eddie Fredericks go over for a try in the corner.

The Lions replied through a Louis Strydom penalty, before their pack rumbled up to the line and saw lock Franco van der Merwe crash over from close range.

The Cheetahs were not to be outdone, and wily flanker Duane Vermeulen caught the Lions napping, taking a quick free-kick to break free and score his try.

Strydom put the Lions back into the lead with a penalty at 13-12, but seconds before half-time lock Barend Pieterse broke away from a lineout to see his side into a 19-13 halftime lead.

The second half was much more scrappy, with Doppies La Grange eventually pulling the Lions back to within a point as the last quarter began before Rose put through his two tense kicks to steal the win away from home.

Scorers:

Lions 23
Tries: van der Merwe, la Grange
Con: Strydom, Rose
Pen: Strydom 2, Rose

Cheetahs 22
Tries: Fredericks, Vermuelen, Pieterse
Con: Potgieter 2
Pen: Potgieter

HT: 13-19