Published Saturday, 04 July 2009
They ended their tour of South Africa with a record-equalling victory over the Springboks.
Shane Williams scored twice as the Lions opened a 15-6 half-time lead and the tourists closed out a pulsating win with an intercept try from Ugo Monye while Stephen Jones kicked 13 points.
The Springboks had already won the series but the Lions ensured they return home on a winning note after their first Test triumph since Brisbane in 2001.
The margin of victory equalled the Lions' victory over South Africa in Pretoria in 1974.
The Springboks looked to find a way back into the game as they did last week, when the Lions had been weakened by the enforced changes.
South Africa failed to rumble over from close range after pushing one penalty into the corner and Francois Steyn then attempted a ludicrous 55-metre drop-goal.
It had the length but not the direction.
Morne Steyn converted a simple penalty after Martyn Williams had been penalised for not releasing but the Lions were determined not to offer the Springboks a glimpse of a way back.
Phillips got under the skin of Heinrich Brussow, who hurled him to the ground and sparked an all-out brawl, the end result of which was three more points for Jones.
The Lions then equalled their record victory over South Africa with a third penalty from Jones after he had been taken out late and off the ball.
The Springboks surged forward in search of their first breakthrough and created another overlap wide right - but Bowe was on hand once again.
Ndungane stretched to score one-handed but Bowe did enough to push the Springbok winger towards the touchline.
After countless replays, television official Bryce Lawrence ruled no try.