Playing with two balls is cheating [GALLO/GETTY]

South Africa, who won the first two matches, made 10 changes for the third and paid the price as the Lions avoided a first series clean sweep of defeats against the Springboks having lost 3-0 to New Zealand four years ago.

The victory, which matched their highest score and widest winning margin against South Africa set in 1974, also ended the Lions' record run of seven successive defeats.

Proud moment

"It's a very proud moment. Today was very important," captain Paul O'Connell told Sky Sports after a bruising encounter on Saturday.

"It's been a very tough week mentally for everyone and we really dug deep there and some guys produced some serious form and some great scores."

The tourists, also forced to make seven changes after a raft of injuries, looked far more organised from the start.

Good work by number eight Jamie Heaslip and centre Riki Flutey set up two tries for 2008 world player of the year Shane Williams as the Lions reached half time deservedly 15-6 ahead.

Unlike last week in Pretoria when they allowed the world champions to fight back from an 11-point deficit in the latter stages, the Lions maintained the pressure and kept their shape after the break.

A 70-metre interception try by fellow wing Ugo Monye, recalled after being dropped for the second Test, eased the nerves as the new-look South African side struggled to make any impression.

Penalties from Stephen Jones, who kicked three in total plus two conversions, stretched the lead and the TV match official was on the Lions' side when he ruled out a late try by Odwa Ndungane for putting a foot in touch.

Backs to the wall

"We had our backs to the wall this week, with Jamie (Roberts) and Brian (O'Driscoll) out, probably our two best players on tour," said O'Connell.

"We knew we had to dig deep and the guys are very conscious of the whole Lions ethos and we wanted to do it proud.

"The first game we could have won and the second we should have won and we were eager the memory of playing well wouldn't be upset by a poor performance today.

"I hope people don't misconstrue the lap of honour We are under no illusions we've lost the Test series but a lot of people have paid a lot of money to come here and we just wanted to thank them."

Coach Ian McGeechan said: "It was massive, the players really picked themselves up. There was such sadness in the dressing room last week so to come back and play like that again, that's an outstanding group of players.

"I was worried we might go into our shells a bit but we didn't and we've scored some very good tries today.

"To finish off the way we have done is satisfaction but it's slightly secondary satisfaction as we came here to win the Test series and we haven't managed that."