The hosts took an early lead when Eddie Fredericks touched down after only two minutes but Jacques-Louis Potgieter failed with the conversion attempt and was also off target with a long range penalty shortly after.

His opposite number Louis Strydom reduced the arrears with his first penalty of the game on the quarter-hour before Conrad Barnard missed an opportunity to cancel out his effort.

The visitors then took the lead when flanker Franco van der Merwe went over and they edged further ahead with the conversion from Strydom.

Their lead was short-lived with Duane Vermeulen dotting down for the Cheetahs before Potgieter converted.

Strydom closed the gap once more with another penalty just before the break but there was still enough time for lock Barend Pieterse to score after pouncing on a loose lineout ball and taking advantage of a static Lions defence.

The conversion from Potgieter saw the Cheetahs go into the break 19-13 in the lead.

Potgieter stretched his side's lead with a further penalty after the break but his side were soon down to 14-men when hooker Adriaan Strauss was sent to the sin-bin for a dangerous tackle.

Strydom missed the subsequent penalty but the Lions were soon on the front foot again and an excellent team move saw prop Heinke van der Merwe go close to scoring - only to be denied by the TMO who ruled a double movement.

But they rallied again and another sweeping move resulted in centre Doppies la Grange going over in the corner for a try that was converted by Earl Rose.

And the replacement fly-half edged his side ahead with a penalty as the game entered the closing stages and it was a lead they would cling onto to avenge their defeat in last year's Currie Cup Final.

Next weekend the Cheetahs will aim to bounce back as they play host to the Western Force while the Lions will play host to the Blues.

Cheetahs (19) 22
Tries: Fredericks, Pieterse, Vermeulen
Con: Potgieter (2)
Pen: Potgieter

Lions (13) 23
Tries: La Grange, Van der Merwe
Con: Rose, Strydom
Pen: Rose, Strydom (2)

Cheetahs: Hennie Daniller, Eddie Fredericks, JW Jonker, Meyer Bosman, Gavin Passens, Jacques-Louis Potgieter, Falie Oelschig, Duanne Vermeulen, Juan Smith (captain), Heinrich Brussow, Rory Duncan, Barend Pieterse, Kobus Calldo, Adriaan Strauss, Wian du Preez.

Reserves: Richardt Strauss, Bees Roux, David de Villiers, Kabamba Floors, Darron Nell, Tobie Botes, Conrad Barnard

Lions: Louis Ludik, Dusty Noble, Jaco Pretorius, Doppies la Grange, Rayno Benjamin, Louis Strydom, Jano Vermaak, RW Kember, Franco van der Merwe, Cobus Grobbelaar (captain), Gerhard Mostert, Anton van Zyl, Ross Geldenhuys, Willie Wepener, Heinke van der Merwe.

Reserves: Gert-Andries van der Merwe, Gavin Williamson, Alten Hulme, Joe van Niekerk, Chris Jonck, Earl Rose, Jaco van Schalkwyk