Lions top South African Super Rugby table

The Lions clinched top spot in Super Rugby's South African Conference after a 38-12 bonus-point victory over the Bulls in a frenetic local derby at Ellis Park.

The Johannesburg-based side - losing finalists in the previous two seasons - ensured they would be the second seeds in the quarter-finals behind only defending champions Canterbury Crusaders as they overturned an early deficit to claim a handsome win on Saturday.

They will play the Argentina-based Jaguares, who finished second in the South African conference, at home in the knock-out round next weekend.

Early tries from flyhalf Manie Libbok and Springbok centre Jesse Kriel had put the Bulls into a 12-0 lead, but the Lions began to win the forward battle and wing Ruan Combrinck scored a brace as they roared back into the contest.

They also profited from a penalty try as their scrum pressure in the Bulls 22 forced the error from the visitors, while hooker Malcolm Marx, and wings Courtnall Skosan and Aphiwe Dyantyi, crossed for tries.