The Lions' Harold Vorster takes off on a run
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Matches: Lions 34 - 29 Cheetahs

The Lions have edged Cheetahs 34-29 in an eight-try Super Rugby thriller at Ellis Park that gave the competition a much-needed boost in South Africa.

After several poor, yellow and red card-littered recent matches - described by one pundit as 'torturous' to watch - this game restored faith in imaginative South African rugby. A much closer contest than expected ensued on a cool Johannesburg evening before the Lions made it six victories in seven games and climbed one place to eighth on the combined standings.

The Lions, considered likely whipping boys before Super Rugby began two months ago, are just one point off the top-six play-off places. After starting with two victories, the Cheetahs have imploded and this was their seventh defeat in eight outings. But unlike some of those losses, the Bloemfontein outfit did not surrender meekly, and were within sight of the Lions' try-line in stoppage time when a turnover foiled chances of a dramatic triumph.

The willingness of both sides to run with the ball rewarded a good holiday-weekend crowd at Ellis Park, scene of the 1995 Rugby World Cup final victory of South Africa over New Zealand. Flanker Warwick Tecklenburg, right-wing Ruan Combrinck, outside centre Lionel Mapoe and scrum-half Faf de Klerk scored a try each for the Lions, who are seeking a maiden play-offs appearance.

Fly-half Elton Jantjies, displaying form that could see him challenge for a Springboks World Cup squad place, kicked four conversions and two penalties for a 14-point tally.

Right-wing Cornal Hendricks, centres Francois Venter and Johann Sadie and replacement loose forward Carel Greeff were the Cheetahs' try-scorers. Regular fly-half Joe Pietersen, starting at full-back because of an injury crisis, slotted three conversions and a drop goal.