Electric loose-forward Kwagga Smith scored two tries as the Lions defeated the Otago Highlanders in a thrilling clash at Ellis Park that was in the balance until late on.

The killer blow for the home side came when wing Courtnall Skosan crossed with a minute remaining and the win moved the Lions to 30 points and into the playoff positions.

Fullback Andries Coetzee and replacement flyhalf Shaun Reynolds also crossed for the Lions, who led 14-12 at halftime and managed to keep up the tempo to the end, exhausting their opponents.

Wings Sio Tomkinson and Jordan Hyland, lock Thomas Franklin, fullback Matt Faddes and flyhalf Josh Ioane scored tries for the Highlanders, who slipped to a sixth defeat of the campaign.