They might not be anywhere near contenders for the Super rugby crown, but the Lions have more than enough reason for chest pumps, air punches and exchanges of high-fives in their dressing room.
Anyone else would consider sitting unprettily third from the bottom of a 15-team log a failure, but Johan Ackermann's charges have had something close to a dream Super rugby season by their standards.
Each year the Lions go into the Super 15 poised for a battle for the wooden spoon. But going into the last round of matches before the competition's play-off stages, the Johannesburg side is almost out of danger of the dreaded last-place finish, both on the overall standings and the South African conference.
The Lions face the Cheetahs this weekend, in what will be the last bit of action for both in the competition, so that dreaded wooden spoon is up for grabs in the SA conference.
The teams occupy the last two spots domestically, separated by only two log points (Lions on 26 and Cheetahs 24). It might not be the most sought-after nor glamorous feat, but the clash at Ellis Park on Saturday will be for those less-fancied bragging rights.
Last weekend's 34-17 win over the Melbourne Rebels handed the Lions their record tally of wins in a Super rugby season - their sixth this year. They have a chance of extending that to seven, and ensuring the fifth-place finish in the SA is taken by their rivals, while the Rebels are likely to be overall bottom-finishers.
The Lions have made Ellis Park something of a fortress this season. The Sharks are the only local side to have defeated them at home.
A look at the Cheetahs' record away from home supplements the advantage the Lions might have.
Naka Drotske's charges have yet to win on the road. Against local sides, their record reads as follows this season: 33-0 against the Stormers, 26-21 against the Bulls and 19-8 against the Sharks. Add to that their Australasian tour, where they suffered defeats to the Blues, Hurricanes, Reds and Rebels.
However, after their impressive 27-20 win at home against the Sharks last weekend, the Cheetahs' tails will be up and confidence high.
An exodus of players is expected at the Free State side at the conclusion of the Super rugby season, and Saturday will be an opportunity to bid the players a final farewell. The Cheetahs will be looking to do so with a win.
Drotske has made no changes to the 23-man squad that beat the Sharks last week.
Ackermann will be naming his team for the weekend today.
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