The Sharks held on to beat the Lions 32-28 in a bruising South African derby in the Super 14.
Coming off a bye week, the Durban-based Sharks started strongly to open a 19-6 lead in 23 minutes after tries from Patrick Lambie, Odwa Ndungane and Bismarck du Plessis.
Flanker Jacques Botes scored the Sharks' bonus point try early in the second half and the visitors held on under late pressure from the Lions, who have now lost all nine games this season.
Maximum points for the rejuvenated Sharks, who have won four in a row after a dismal start to the season, keeps alive their slim chance of a semifinal spot.
"Because of the start we gave ourselves and all the missed opportunities, we have forced ourselves into a situation where every weekend is a final," Sharks captain John Smit said. "Every game is like the last game of the season."
The Sharks scored with their first attack of the game when 19-year-old fullback Lambie went over in the corner.
The visitors moved 12-6 ahead when Ndungane provided an overlap on the right wing after a long pass out from Andy Goode.
The winless Lions, whose only points had come through two penalties by Herkie Kruger, conceded a third try as Smit popped up a pass for Springboks teammate Du Plessis to crash over.
But the Sharks lost their composure in the latter stages of both halves and allowed the Lions to hit back with tries to Michael Killian and Franco van der Merwe, and a 63rd-minute score from replacement Derick Minnie that closed the gap to four points.
"These derbies can be a real menacing affair," Smit said. "It's a fiery occasion. I suppose we can be happy with our first five-pointer but we made it hard for ourselves."
The Sharks appeared on course for a comfortable win after their early onslaught.
But Carlos Spencer, who was moved to No. 15 by Lions coach Dick Muir, began a counterattack in the 32nd minute that ended with winger Michael Killian outpacing the defence.
Spencer, a former All Black, again provided the crucial link six minutes before halftime and lock Franco van der Merwe swapped passes with Killian to squeeze over in the corner.
Sharks scrumhalf Ruan Pienaar kicked a penalty on the halftime hooter and Botes, the man-of-the-match two weeks ago, ran in unchallenged in the fourth minute of the second half as the Sharks regained their composure to lead 29-18.
But Spencer sent a flat pass to Killian, who released Minnie to run 50 metres to score between the posts and give the Sharks a nervous final 15 minutes.
"It's still not a win and that is what we are looking for," Lions captain Cobus Grobbelaar said. "Credit to the Sharks, they did well. But we need a better performance.
"There are positives and we need to work on that. There are four games left and we can turn our season around."
Score: Sharks 32 (Patrick Lambie, Odwa Ndungane, Bismarck du Plessis, Jacques Botes tries; Ruan Pienaar 3 conversions, 2 penalties) def. Lions 28 (Michael Killian, Franco van der Merwe, Derick Minnie tries; Herkie Kruger 2 conversions, 3 penalties). HT: 22-18.
