Despite failing to score a point in the second half, the Bulls held on to defeat the Lions 16-9 in their Super 14 match at Ellis Park Stadium on Saturday.

In the pouring rain, Springbok No. 8 Pierre Spies barged over for a try in the 14th minute which was converted by flyhalf Morne Steyn.

Steyn also kicked three penalties as the Lions struggled with the slippery ball.

They also lost five of their own lineouts in the first half.

Springbok scrumhalf Fourie du Preez put an up-and-under in the air. It was chased by Akona Ndungane, who broke away well. The Bulls moved the ruck ball left and Spies picked up a good inside pass five meters out and forced his way over the line.

In the second half, Andre Pretorius scored two penalties for the Lions, his first taking him to 556 points in Super rugby - the most by a South African - as he moved clear of the Stormers' Louis Kuhn.

The Bulls appeared to be taken by surprise in the second half, and when they lost Wynand Olivier to a yellow card in the 54th minute, it was all they could do to keep the Lions out.

The Lions brought on Earl Rose at flyhalf in the 62nd minute to replace Pretorius, and his attacking skills immediately put the Bulls under pressure.

But Rose was yellow-carded for challenging Du Preez in the air while chasing one of his own up-and-unders, allowing the Bulls to slow things down and ride out the rest of the match.

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