The Lions scored seven tries in a thrilling 47-39 win against the Jaguares at Ellis Park, as they returned to winning ways in Super Rugby.
Coach Swys de Bruin’s men had lost to the Stormers away and the Bulls at home before the return match against the Jaguares, who they beat in Buenos Aires in round one, and were under pressure to hit back on home soil.
De Bruin had dropped several senior campaigners from his squad including Lionel Mapoe, Aphiwe Dyantyi, Rian Combrinck and Hacjivah Dayimani and replaced them with a number of rookies and former South African Under-20 stars.
It was a gamble by De Bruin, but it was one that paid off.
The Lions, with future stars like Wandisle Simelane, Ruan Vermaak, Franco Naude, Vincent Tshituka and others in the mix, ran the Jaguares ragged.
They took on the physical Jaguares at close quarters, dominated them in the scrums and line-outs and asked questions with the ball at the back. Even seasoned men like Elton Jantjies, Courtnall Skosan, Andries Coetzee and Malcolm Marx looked refreshed.
It was a far from a clinical performance by the Lions, but then it was always unlikely to be the case considering all the changes made to the team in the week.