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Johannesburg - The Lions staged a second-half comeback to beat the Highlanders 27-22 in the Super 14 on Friday.
The victory was their fourth in 12 matches and helped the home team rise to 11th in the table, on the same points as the Highlanders but with an inferior points difference.
The Highlanders went behind when wing Michael Killian crossed for a sixth-minute try after Willem Alberts had stolen possession and set off on a storming run.
The visitors hit back though with tries from flanker Alando Soakai, wing Ben Smith and scrumhalf Jimmy Cowan.
Fullback Israel Dagg, who converted the second and third tries, extended the lead to 22-5 with a penalty early in the second half.
Alberts then inspired the Lions fightback by diving over from close range after a break by Jano Vermaak.
Loose forward Alberts also had a hand in Vermaak's try seven minutes later as he burst through a couple of tackles before feeding the livewire scrumhalf.
Then, in the 72nd minute, Lions wing Louis Ludik sped into the Otago 22 and handed the ball to Earl Rose to score.
Flyhalf Andre Pretorius booted the conversion and struck again with a superb late drop goal from just inside the Highlander's half.
Score:
Lions: Tries: Willem Alberts, Earl Rose, Jano Vermaak, Michael Killian.
Conversions: Andre Pretorius (2). Drop Goal: Pretorius.
Highlanders: Tries: Alando Soaki, Ben Smith, Jimmy Cowan.
Conversion: Israel Dagg (2). Penalty: Dagg.
