Cape Town - The Lions finished their three-match tour of Australia unbeaten after victory over the Brumbies in Canberra on Friday.
As it happened: Brumbies v Lions
The Lions won 13-6 after trailling 3-0 at half-time.
The Lions, who had previously beaten the Force and Rebels while Down Under, scored the only try of the match through a superb solo effort by livewire flank Kwagga Smith. Flyhalf Elton Jantjies added the conversion as well as a penalty, while fullback Andries Coetzee added a late penalty as well.
The Brumbies replied with two penalties by pivot Wharenui Hawera.
Honest Lions fans will admit their team have a lot of work to do should they wish to replicate their spot in last year's final - or go one step further and lift the trophy.
For large parts of the match the Brumbies dominated territory and possession and the Lions were forced into a series of key turnovers in order to retain their lead.
It was only at scrum time that Lions coach Johan Ackermann will feel any degree of satisfaction.
The Lions picked up four points for the victory and drew level with the Crusaders at the top on the Overall log, but remain second on points difference having also played one extra match.
The Brumbies picked up a single point for losing by seven or fewer points, and stretched their lead atop the Australian Conference to five points ahead of the Waratahs.
In next weekend's Round 13 action, the Lions welcome the Bulls to Ellis Park (Saturday, May 20 at 17:15), while the Brumbies will also make their way to South Africa to face the Kings in Port Elizabeth immediately thereafter (kick-off at 19:30).
Scorers:
Brumbies
Penalties: Wharenui Hawera (2)
Lions
Try: Kwagga Smith
Conversion: Elton Jantjies
Penalties: Jantjies, Andries Coetzee
Teams:
Brumbies
15 Aidan Toua, 14 Henry Speight, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Kyle Godwin, 11 James Dargaville, 10 Wharenui Hawera, 9 Joe Powell, 8 Jordan Smiler, 7 Jarrad Butler, 6 Scott Fardy, 5 Sam Carter (captain), 4 Rory Arnold, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Josh Mann-Rea, 1 Ben Alexander
Substitutes: 16 Robbie Abel, 17 Nic Mayhew, 18 Leslie Leulua’iali’i-Makin, 19 Blake Enever, 20 Ben Hyne, 21 De Wet Roos, 22 Jordan Jackson-Hope, 23 Tom Banks
Lions
15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Sylvian Mahuza, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Ross Cronje, 8 Warren Whiteley (captain), 7 Ruan Ackermann, 6 Kwagga Smith, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Andries Ferreira, 3 Johannes Jonker, 2 Robbie Coetzee, 1 Corne Fourie
Substitutes: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Jacques van Rooyen, 18 Ruan Dreyer, 19 Lourens Erasmus, 20 Robert Kruger, 21 Dillon Smit, 22 Jacques Nel, 23 Anthony Volmink