British & Irish Lions captain Paul O'Connell is tackled by Free State Cheetahs's WP Nel PA

THE British & Irish Lions survived a major scare at Vodacom Park before preserving their 100% South Africa tour record.

Tries by flanker Stephen Ferris, and centre Keith Earls helped open up a 17-0 lead but, when Ferris was sin-binned, the Free State Cheetahs hit back with converted touchdowns from Danwel Demas and Yan du Preez.

Cheetahs centre Corne Uys added an 80-metre interception try with eight minutes left, but the Lions held on and triumphed with a 16-point contribution of fly-half James Hook.

The Lions had produced a scintillating midweek display by crushing the Golden Lions 74-10 in Johannesburg and they looked to improve on that performance against a Cheetahs side that finished last in this season's Super 14 competition.

Paul O'Connell led a Lions team that featured several first-time tour starters, including wing Leigh Halfpenny, centre Luke Fitzgerald, fly-half James Hook and lock Donncha O'Callaghan.

And there were six starters from the side that struggled to hold off a Royal XV in Rustenburg last Saturday, with centre Keith Earls back in action after suffering a shoulder injury during that match.

For the first time since arriving in South Africa 13 days ago, the Lions were greeted by overcast conditions for a game refereed by leading English official Wayne Barnes.

The tourists made a lively start, looking to keep possession alive, but an O'Callaghan knock-on sacrificed a promising attacking position deep inside the Cheetahs' 22.

A juggernaut Lions front-row of Andrew Sheridan, Ross Ford and Euan Murray looked to have made its mark, but the game's second scrum disintegrated into a brawl.

Lions flanker Ferris and Cheetahs lock Nico Breedt wrestled on the floor, while several other players also got involved before Barnes warned Murray and his opposite number Wian du Preez.

Fly-half Hook hoisted the Lions ahead with a 40-metre penalty after seven minutes, but the visitors were already embroiled in a far more fierce encounter than at Ellis Park three days ago.

Hook's opposite number Jacques-Louis Potgieter missed a long-range penalty chance, and the Lions responded by catching the home defence asleep.

The Cheetahs failed to clear 30 metres out, and Ferris reacted quickest, gathering possession and sprinting unopposed to the line for a try which Hook converted.

It was Ferris' second touchdown of the tour, putting him one behind leading try-scorer Tommy Bowe, as the Lions began to take a firm grip on proceedings.

And with a one-sided opening quarter reaching its conclusion, the Lions struck again. Hook's delightful kick into space was collected by Earls, who showed a blistering turn of pace to leave the Cheetahs' defence for dead. Hook added the extras for a commanding 17-0 advantage.

Ferris blotted his copybook by collecting the Lions' first yellow card on tour, leaving Barnes with little option when he prevented a quick Cheetahs ball from being released.

Down to seven forwards, the Lions found themselves under pressure, even though a second Hook penalty had extended their lead to 20-0.

The Cheetahs made their temporary one-man advantage count after good work by the forwards helped created an overlap for wing Demas.

Potgieter converted, leaving the Lions reflecting on the first points they had conceded since just before half-time at Ellis Park on Wednesday night.

And the Cheetahs almost scored again just six minutes later, but Demas agonisingly failed to gather his kick ahead, and the Lions escaped.

It was only a temporary reprieve though, and with Ferris still off, workaholic du Preez stormed over for a try that Potgieter improved.

Ferris' caution had proved costly - 14 points were conceded while he was off - and the Lions needed to tighten up considerably as half-time approached.

Hook's third successful penalty gave them a degree of breathing space, yet the Lions knew they were in a real contest.

Potgieter cut the gap to six points when he rifled over a 45-metre penalty after Halfpenny was penalised for an illegal challenge.

The Lions struggled to impose their rhythm and cohesion so evident during the first 20 minutes, as frustrating errors crept in, especially around the forward fringes.

Hook though, did his utmost to keep them on the front, landing a sixth successful kick from six attempts - his fourth penalty - for a 26-17 advantage after 50 minutes.

The Cheetahs were still within striking range, belying their status as the Super 14's last-placed team this season, yet the Lions also knew one more try would probably finish them off.

But as the game entered its final 20 minutes, it remained a finely-balanced encounter.

The Lions' forwards continued to huff and puff, with reinforcements arriving in the shape of Wales front-row pair, Matthew Rees and Adams Jones.

Nathan Hines also appeared off the bench, taking over from Joe Worsley in the back row, but the Cheetahs would not lie down.

They cut the deficit to just two points with eight minutes left when Shane Williams' intended pass to Hook was intercepted by centre Uys, who galloped 80 metres to score.

Substitute Louis Strydom, on for Potgieter, converted to make it 26-24 and set up a pulsating finale.

Lions centre Fitzgerald hobbled off to be replaced by Gordon D'Arcy and there was still enough time for the home side to grab a famous victory.

Strydom sent a drop-goal attempt narrowly wide, but the Cheetahs had one final scrum when Lions full-back, Liam Byrne, dropped the ball.

The Lions, though, survived by the skin of their teeth.