The Joburg outfit deserved their 20-5 halftime lead having scored two converted tries and two penalty goals, against the sole try of the visitors. They won the try-count by the same margin after the break for a good home victory.

The Lions, who drew 31-31 against the Dragons last week, were again dangerous on attack with ball in hand against the French giants, scoring a few lovely tries out wide by using some clever passing.

The Parisians struggled most of the time while the home side showed solid defensive resolve whenever they were under threat.

Former Junior Springbok speedster Quan Horn took a nice floating pass from the influential flyhalf Jordan Hendrikse to score the first five-pointer of the evening, with the pivot adding the extras from the touchline to his earlier penalty goal to put the hosts 10-0 in front inside the first 20 minutes.

The Lions turned over possession and some slick handling sent Horn on way again, this time dotting down under the sticks for his brace. Hendrikse added the conversion as the Highvelders raced into an impressive 20-0 advantage with just more than 10 minutes left on the clock before the interval.

The French visitors, in their familiar pink jerseys, finally crossed the line after the half-hour mark, however, the effort was ruled out because of foul play in the build-up. But their SA-born scrumhalf James Hall got the visitors' first points on the board with a solo try on the sound of the hooter to make the halftime score 20-5.

After the Highvelders have managed to ride out a period of intense pressure, they themselves went onto the offensive which saw experienced fullback Andries Coetzee go over in the corner from a Rynhardt Jonker cut-out pass.

Hendrikse missed the conversion this time, but his side was now sitting very comfortable on a 25-5 lead.

Flyhalf Leo Barre rounded off a good movement for the visitors, and with Barre limping following that score Alex Arrate nudged the extras to cut the deficit to 25-12 with just 10 minutes left on the clock.

However, the home side ensured there will be no dramatic Parisian comeback from as Ruan Smith crashed over following a series of big carries to stretch the final score to 30-12 for a solid home win.

Scorers:

Emirates Lions 30 (20) – Tries: Quan Horn (2), Andries Coetzee, Ruan Smith. Conversions: Jordan Hendrikse (2). Penalty goals: Hendrikse (2).

Stade Francais 12 (5) – Tries: James Hall, Leo Barre. Conversion: Alex Arrate.