British and Irish Lions: Lions fight back to clinch series opener

The British and Irish Lions drew first blood in the series against South Africa after fighting back from nine points down at half-time to win 22-17.

The Lions were adrift at the break after Handre Pollard's four penalties but hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie scrambled over from short range four minutes after the break to change the tide.

Faf de Klerk's scrappy try briefly restored the world champions' cushion, however, Dan Biggar's boot and the tourists' superior conditioning saw them home.

The Lions survived a late onslaught when Owen Farrell's penalty three minutes from time was followed by a desperate last-ditch attack from the hosts as they searched for a try to level the points.

The Lions will return to Cape Town Stadium in seven days, looking for the kill and a first series win in South Africa since the iconic 1997 success.

South Africa will face the British and Irish Lions in their second test at 4am next Sunday.

[Soure: BBC]