Cheetahs forced to dig deep in come-from-behind win over Lions

The Cheetahs never had it all their own way in their 35-26 come-from-behind win over the Lions in a Currie Cup encounter on Friday evening. 

As it happened: Lions v Cheetahs 

The visitors' excellent second-half display saw them secure victory in a match where the Lions built up an early lead but couldn't hold on as ill-discipline cost them.

The home side was forced into a change before the kick-off with flanker Emmanuel Tshituka forced to withdraw from the run-on team.

He was replaced by Lindo Ncusane with Mark Snyman moving onto the bench. 

After weathering an early storm from the Cheetahs, the Lions that opened the scoring after some deft handling saw winger Stean Pienaar get over the whitewash in the 12th minute.

Fullback Tiaan Swanepoel converted as the home side opened up a 7-0 lead. 

Swanepoel extended that lead to 10-0 with a penalty in the 16th minute after Frans Steyn was penalised for a high tackle. 

The Cheetahs then had two tries disallowed for infringements in the build-up as they remained scoreless a quarter into the match.

Another Swanepoel penalty in the 26th minute saw the Lions extend their lead to 13-0 after Ruan Pienaar was penalised for venturing offside at a ruck.

It was a case of third time lucky for the Cheetahs as they finally scored a legal try in the 27th minute when Gideon van der Merwe crashed over following a perfect driving maul.

Pienaar added the extras as the visitors cut the Lions' lead to 13-7

The Cheetahs then took a 14-13 lead in the 37th minute after Marnus van der Merwe scored a converted try from another excellent rolling maul.

The Lions, however, attacked straight from the restart and were rewarded with the 20-14 lead at half-time after Ncusane crashed over for a converted try.

Swanepoel and