The defending SuperSport Rugby Challenge champions from Mpumalanga made their intentions clear at Emirates Airline Park in Johannesburg by outplaying their hosts in a flowing match that saw 12 tries being scored.
iSG Pumas flyhalf Chris Smith was again in productive form, scoring a try and kicking four conversions and two penalty goals.
The visitors were out of the blocks best and outscored the home side 27-7 in the opening 40 minutes. The iSG Pumas backs were pretty productive and had the better of their opponents and both Neil Maritz and Alwayno Visagie scored two tries each.
The second half was more evenly matched, with the Xerox Golden Lions XV outscoring the iSG Pumas 26-24, but the men from Mpumalanga's stellar work in the opening half proved to be decisive.
Scorers:
Xerox Golden Lions XV - Tries: Reuben Schoeman, Sylvian Mahuza, Prince Nkabinde, Jan-Louis la Grange, Pieter Jansen. Conversions: Dillon Smit, Mahuza (2), Ruan Combrinck.
iSG Pumas - Tries: Neil Maritz (2), Alwayno Visagie (2), Phumzile Maqondwana, Chris Smith. Conversions: Smith (4). Penalty goals: Smith (2).
