Blues score last minute stunner to edge out Lions in Johannesburg

Lions 35-38 Blues, Emirates Airlines Park
Scorecard

The Blues, against all the odds, scored an 80th-minute match-winning try to snatch dramatic, late victory over Lions to revive their faltering season.

With an incredible 18-point deficit comeback against the Lions, the Blues won their first game of the season after a frantic finish.

The Blues piled on four tries in the closing minutes with Rieko Ioane (62, 68) scoring a double while Jimmy Tupou (74) and Murphy Taramai (79) scoring a try each. Akira Ioane (38) scored the only try for the visitors in the first-half.

The hosts, who dominated for the better part of the match, scored five tries. Sylvian Mahuza (1), Rohan Janse van Rensburg (14), Elton Jantjies (36), Aphiwe Dyantyi (54) and Dylan Smith (72) added to the Lions' tally.

Taramai crossed to give his team the lead for the first time with 18 seconds remaining and ensured they picked up their first win of the season.

The resultant celebrations showed just how much this result meant for the hard-pressed franchise from Auckland.

Following the classic win, the Blues have now moved to ninth place on the table.