The Stormers claimed their first win of the Super Rugby season after replacement scrum-half Herschel Jantjies scored a try in the 86th minute to secure a 19-17 victory over the Lions at Newlands on Saturday.
The try, the first of the campaign for the home side, levelled the scores before the conversion by S.P. Marais put the Stormers into the lead for the first time in a match in which both team made numerous handling and discipline errors.
The Stormers trailed by five points after the hooter, but won a succession of penalties as they attacked the Lions' line.
Stormers captain Siya Kolisi had initially asked wing Marais to kick for touch to set up an attacking lineout, from what turned out to be the last penalty of the match, but he changed his mind and opted for a scrum, from which Jantjies found the smallest of gaps to run through and score under the posts after the ball had bobbled out the back of the set-piece.
The hosts had entered the fixture under immense pressure after their humbling defeat by the Bulls in round one, and it would have been easy to see them collapse after Lions backrower Kwagga Smith powered over the score the opening try from an attacking lineout following a ruck indiscretion by Pieter-Steph du Toit.
Marais narrowed the lead with a penalty but the Lions got a second converted try when their captain, Warren Whiteley, burrowed across the line from close range.The Springboks loose-forward had to leave the field shortly afterwards with what looked to be a pectoral problem that will spark concern given his recent injury woes.
The Stormers' discipline was poor in the first period, as they battled to gain momentum, but they went into the break trailing just 14-6 after another Marais penalty.
They started the second half more brightly, wearing their traditional jumper after the officials had decided the two Marvel Super Hero kits clashed as each featured red, and Marais landed a third penalty to reduce the deficit to five points.
Springboks lock Eben Etzebeth was introduced for his first minutes of the season, and immediately he carried the ball twice to great effect -- including winning another penalty in front of the goal posts that was converted by Marais.
The Stormers then made an error from the kick-off to hand the Lions a penalty, and Elton Jantjies restored the five-point lead.
The home side were camped in the Lions' 22 for the final 20 minutes, but their execution let them down and they seemed likely to endure a second defeat of the season before Herschel Jantjies provided the magic touch to snatch the win.