Behind at the break, the relentless Lions side showed their steel to blitz Cardiff in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship on Friday evening.

The Lions, trailing 13-10 at halftime, displayed excellent composure and game management to secure the bonus point as they beat Cardiff 31-18 in Wales.

A Test-like atmosphere saw the tourists display tenacity on defence as they kept an eager Cardiff side at bay in a low scoring first-half.

Two penalties from Cardiff flyhalf Jarrod Evans and one from Lions pivot Gianni Lombard, left the score 6-3 in favour of the home side, but Cardiff extended their lead through a 37th minute try from flanker James Botham.

However, an overtime penalty-try brought the away side right back within contention, as the Lions went into the break trailing Cardiff 13-10.

The Lions would take the lead for the first time when hooker PJ Botha scored off the back of a powerful driving maul, with the away side looking to take charge.

And that they did as replacement scrumhalf Morne van den Berg capitalised on a loose ball to go over for the score to extend the Lions’ lead.

The hosts hit back through replacement No 8 Shane Lewis-Hughes, but it was not enough as relentless pressure from the Lions eventually paid-off in the form of a late try from Lions winger Quan Horn, securing a 31-18 victory with the bonus point in the bag.

The Lions will wrap up their three-match tour in Edinburgh on Friday when they’ll be eager to extend their current form on the road – success at Ospreys and now Cardiff, combined with a win at Dragons to end last season, means the Lions will arrive in the Scottish capital in search of a fourth successive tour victory.

Photo: Inpho Photography