The Stormers remained the only unbeaten side in this year's Super Rugby competition with a tough 24-19 win over the Lions in Johannesburg on Saturday.
The Stormers hit the lead inside the opening two minutes with a try from a bulldozing Tiaan Liebenberg. That was followed shortly afterwards by a fantastic chip and chase from Bryan Habana to score the Cape Town side's second try and give the impression that they might run away with the match.
However, it was not to be and the lions started their fightback with a massive effort from the home side's forwards pack to dominate the possession.
The Stormers defence were severely tested, as they were forced to make the vast majority of the tackles to stop wave after wave of attack from the Lions.
The defence held firm and with time up on the clock young Lions utility back Andries Coetzee struck a drop-goal to secure the home side a losing bonus point.
More to follow...
Scorers:
For Lions:
Try: Meyer
Con: James
Pens: James 3
DG: Coetzee
For Stormers:
Tries: Liebenberg, Habana
Con: Pietersen
Pens: Pietersen 4
Teams:
Lions: 15 James Kamana, 14 Deon van Rensburg, 13 Jaco Taute, 12 Doppies la Grange, 11 Andries Coetzee, 10 Butch James, 9 Tian Meyer, 8 Warren Whiteley, 7 Joshua Strauss (captain), 6 Derick Minnie, 5 Franco van der Merwe, 4 Marius Coetzer, 3 Patric Cilliers, 2 Callie Visagie, 1 Caylib Oosthuizen.
Replacements: 16 Martin Bezuidenhout, 17 Jacobie Adriaanse, 18 Stephan Greeff, 19 Cobus Grobbelaar, 20 Ross Cronje, 21 Michael Killian, 22 Ruan Combrinck.
Stormers: 15 Joe Pietersen, 14 Gio Aplon, 13 Juan de Jongh, 12 Jean De Villiers (captain), 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Peter Grant, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage, 8 Nick Koster, 7 Duane Vermeulen, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Andries Bekker, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Brok Harris, 2 Tiaan Liebenberg, 1 Steven Kitshoff.
Replacements: 16 Scarra Ntubeni, 17 Frans Malherbe, 18 De Kock Steenkamp, 19 Nizaam Carr, 20 Louis Schreuder, 21 Gary van Aswegen, 22 Gerhard van den Heever.
Referee: Glen Jackson (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Stuart Berry (South Africa), Christie du Preez (South Africa)
TMO: Gerrie Coetzee (South Africa)
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