The Lions scored six tries to beat the Dragons at Ellis Park on Saturday and keep the pace in their Vodacom URC playoff chase.
Scrumhalf Nico Steyn scored a brace of tries, while flyhalf Chris Smith contributed 15 points as the Pride stormed to a 42-26 win.
It propelled them to fourth on the log with four rounds remaining.
The hosts made a fast start, applying early pressure before Siba Mahashe opened the scoring. The flanker collected an offload from centre Henco van Wyk outside the 22 and powered through to dot down.
𝐏𝐇𝐔𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐈 𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐋𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐍𝐈
Siba Mahashe with pace and power for the Lions opener
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He then produced a key defensive moment, holding the Dragons up over the line just minutes later.
The visitors settled and struck back, targeting Bronson Mills’ midfield channel while he was down injured. Centre Aneurin Owen crossed, with flyhalf Angus O’Brien converting to give the Dragons a 7-5 lead.
The Lions responded immediately through a Smith penalty.
Sustained pressure from the hosts paid off when Richard Kriel gathered a loose pass, dummied a defender and scored.
The Dragons replied through Owen’s second try after a prolonged attacking spell, with O’Brien narrowing the gap to 15-14.
Smith added another penalty to give the Lions an 18-14 half-time lead.
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The Dragons carried momentum into the second half. After building phases and applying pressure, a sensational cross-kick found winger Rio Dyer, who finished out wide. O’Brien converted from the touchline to give the visitors a 21-18 lead.
The Lions hit back immediately. Smith finished under the poles after a break from deep and converted his own try to restore a 25-21 advantage.
With momentum shifting, Steyn crossed for the bonus-point try, while Dyer was sent to the sin bin.
Fullback Quan Horn’s 50:22 set up further pressure, and a dominant scrum earned the Lions a penalty. From the resulting lineout maul, Steyn scored his second after breaking down the blindside to extend the lead to 37-21.
Nico Steyn gets his brace
The Lions are biting back at the Dragons
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The Lions added another through winger Erich Cronjé, who finished in the corner after a turnover created by Van Wyk at the breakdown, before Dyer grabbed his second for the Dragons.
When the URC resumes, the Lions take on Glasgow Warriors at Ellis Park, while the Dragons host the Voadcom Bulls at Rodney Parade.
LIONS – Tries: Siba Mahashe, Richard Kriel, Chris Smith, Nico Steyn (2), Erich Cronjé. Conversions: Smith (3). Penalties: Smith (2).
DRAGONS – Tries: Aneurin Owen (2), Rio Dyer (2). Conversions: Angus O’Brien (3).
Photo: Gallo Images
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