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A sparkling Shane Williams double helped the British and Irish Lions claim a comprehensive 28-9 victory in the third and final rugby Test against South Africa at Ellis Park on Saturday.
The Springboks had already won the first two Tests, 26-21 and 28-25 in Durban and Pretoria respectively, for the overall series win to avenge their 1997 defeat to the Lions.
But a much-changed home side lacked the cohesion and structure of the past two weekends and were dominated in set-piece and open play, where Martyn Williams shone for the visitors.
Winger Ugo Monye scored a third try for the Lions, also showing a rejigged midfield and front-row through injury, with Stephen Jones claiming three penalties and two conversions.
Morne Steyn hit three penalties for the Springboks, who will no doubt still go into their Tri-Nations campaign with some confidence.
'We were very conscious of putting up a good performance,' said Lions skipper and lock Paul O'Connell.
'A very proud moment. A very important win for the Lions. It has been a very tough week mentally for everyone. We dug deep.
'We are under no illusions that we didn't win the series but it (lap of honour) was a way of saying thank you to all those fans who spent a fortune on coming out here to watch us.'
Lions head coach Ian McGeechan said: 'I am highly delighted. This is massive. They (the Lions) picked themselves up.
'The dressingroom last weekend was not one I wanted to be in. There was so much sadness. They are an outstanding group of players. I think we have been the best team in four of the six halves of rugby we have played in the Tests.
'The disappointment is that we could have been 2-0 up coming here or at least one up. So it is a slightly secondary satisfaction this victory brings. This is definitely my last Lions tour.'
