Nelspruit - The MTN Golden Lions claimed a full house of five points but had to survive a total turnaround of fortunes in the second half as they beat the Ford Pumas 34-20 (halftime 27-6) in their Absa Currie Cup match at the Mbombela Stadium on Friday
Golden Lions took their South African Currie Cup lead to 10 points.
After dominating the first half and turning 27-6 ahead, the Lions were on the back foot for much of the second half in Nelspruit.
The fourth Lions try which sealed success and a bonus point came 75 seconds into stoppage time from replacement forward Johan 'Joe' Snyman.
Stung by finding themselves just seven points ahead with three minutes left in perfect early spring conditions, the Lions laid siege to the Pumas try-line.
And the pressure paid off when Snyman found a gap to dot down near the posts and star fly-half Elton Jantjies converted to complete a 14-point haul.
Other try scorers for the Lions were left wing Michael Killian, flank Michael Rhodes and full-back Jaco Taute.
But some gloss was taken off the seventh success in eight outings by the first-half loss of centre Lionel Mapoe with a dislocated shoulder.
Pumas fell to last despite a brave show with fly-half Coenie van Wyk kicking two penalties and converting tries by flank Corne Steenkamp and full-back MJ Mentz.
Golden Lions took their South African Currie Cup lead to 10 points.
After dominating the first half and turning 27-6 ahead, the Lions were on the back foot for much of the second half in Nelspruit.
The fourth Lions try which sealed success and a bonus point came 75 seconds into stoppage time from replacement forward Johan 'Joe' Snyman.
Stung by finding themselves just seven points ahead with three minutes left in perfect early spring conditions, the Lions laid siege to the Pumas try-line.
And the pressure paid off when Snyman found a gap to dot down near the posts and star fly-half Elton Jantjies converted to complete a 14-point haul.
Other try scorers for the Lions were left wing Michael Killian, flank Michael Rhodes and full-back Jaco Taute.
But some gloss was taken off the seventh success in eight outings by the first-half loss of centre Lionel Mapoe with a dislocated shoulder.
Pumas fell to last despite a brave show with fly-half Coenie van Wyk kicking two penalties and converting tries by flank Corne Steenkamp and full-back MJ Mentz.
SCORERS:
Ford Pumas - Tries: Corne Steenkamp, MJ Mentz. Conversions: Coenie van Wyk (2). Penalties: Van Wyk (2).
MTN Golden Lions - Tries: Michael Killian, Michael Rhodes, Jaco Taute, Johan Snyman. Conversions: Elton Jantjies (4). Penalties: Jantjies (2).