Full-back Lee Byrne spared the British and Irish Lions' blushes as he inspired the tourists to a late victory over the Royal XV in Rustenburg.

Byrne capped an excellent display with a late try, adding to scores from Alun Wyn Jones and fly-half Ronan O'Gara, to seal a 37-25 win and avoid becoming the first Lions side since 1971 to lose their opening match.

The hosts had raced into an early 18-3 lead, courtesy of two quick-fire tries from Wilhelm Koch and Rayno Barnes, but were pegged back when Irish winger Tommy Bowe sped over just before the break.

An O'Gara penalty in the first minute of the second half reduced the arrears to five and appeared to breathe life into the lacklustre Lions with Scotland captain Mike Blair dictating the tempo at scrum-half.

The Royal XV grabbed another try against the run of play through Bees Roux to take a 25-13 lead with just 15 minutes left on the clock.

But the introduction of England's New Zealand-born centre Riki Flutey did much to galvanise the Lions in the closing stages and a late flurry ensured Ian McGeechan's men began their tour of South Africa with a win.