Published Saturday, 06 June 2009
Tries by flanker Stephen Ferris, and centre Keith Earls helped open up a 17-0 lead but, when Ferris was sin-binned, the Cheetahs hit back with converted touchdowns from Danwel Demas and Yan du Preez.
Cheetahs centre Corne Uys added an 80-metre interception try with eight minutes left, but the Lions held on and triumphed with a 16-point contribution of fly-half James Hook.
The Lions' forwards continued to huff and puff, with reinforcements arriving in the shape of Wales front-row pair, Matthew Rees and Adams Jones.
Nathan Hines also appeared off the bench, taking over from Joe Worsley in the back row, but the Cheetahs would not lie down.
They cut the deficit to just two points with eight minutes left when Shane Williams' intended pass to Hook was intercepted by centre Corne Uys, who galloped 80 metres to score.
Substitute Louis Strydom, on for Potgieter, converted to make it 26-24 and set up a pulsating finale.
Lions centre Fitzgerald hobbled off to be replaced by Gordon D'Arcy and there was still enough time for the home side to grab a famous victory.
Strydom sent a drop-goal attempt narrowly wide, but the Cheetahs had one final scrum when Lions full-back, Liam Byrne, dropped the ball.
The Lions, though, survived by the skin of their teeth.