Taute’s superbly worked score just before halftime and Killian’s intercept try early in the second saw the Lions complete a remarkable turnaround under coach John Mitchell after they had the worst losing streak in Super rugby just over a year ago.

Replacement Juan de Jongh’s try pulled Province within nine points with 10 minutes to go, but the Lions held out to set up a showdown with the defending champion Sharks in next weekend’s decider in Johannesburg.

Flyhalf Elton Jantjies kicked 19 points for the Lions, who crucially managed to keep the ball away from Province’s Springboks-filled backline for much of the match.

South Africa’s biggest game will see two New Zealand coaches go head-to-head next Saturday when former All Blacks mentor Mitchell faces John Plumtree and his Sharks.

The Sharks beat Free State Cheetahs in Durban earlier Saturday to stay on course for a third Currie Cup in four seasons.

“Yeah, good performance by the guys,” Mitchell said of his Lions. “We just thought it was important to have urgency and attitude. Our tactics worked well for us tonight and that’s what the game’s about. Next week’s contest will be different.

“It’s just a matter of enjoying tonight. I’m patching up the guys at the moment and getting them ready for next week’s contest.”

Returning South Africa internationals Jaque Fourie, Jean de Villiers, Bryan Habana and Gio Aplon were given little room to operate as the Lions shut down their attacking threat out wide with scrambling, never-say-die defense.

“It wasn’t our night tonight. Credit to the Lions, they put us under pressure,” Western Province captain Schalk Burger said. “We made too many errors. There has been a lot of improvement in this Lions team. Good luck to them in the final.”

The boots of Jantjies and Western Province flyhalf Demetri Catrakilis dominated the first half before Taute’s 36th-minute score broke the game open for the Lions.

Flanker Michael Rhodes and wing Deon van Rensburg timed their passes perfectly down the right flank to send Taute in near the posts. Jantjies converted and the Lions held a 19-12 halftime advantage.

Killian pounced eight minutes after the restart in a second major blow to the visiting team’s hopes in quick succession, snatching a loose Province pass near a ruck and beating the cover defense to the left corner for 26-12 after Jantjies’ touchline conversion.

Opposing No. 10s Catrakilis and Jantjies again swapped penalties, but a 10-minute wave of pressure from Cape Town’s Province resulted in a long pass from South Africa flanker Schalk Burger and a try by fellow Springbok De Jongh out wide on the right. Catrakilis missed the conversion, leaving Province needing two scores in the closing stages.

Lions replacement Butch James missed a late penalty, but Mitchell’s team held firm in front of long-suffering fans to make the season finale and defying a challenging recent period where they lost every game in the 2010 Super 14 competition under former coach Dick Muir.

They have also battled boardroom squabbles and were the subject of a bitter failed takeover by big-money investors this season.

“It’s an emotional feeling,” Lions No. 10 Jantjies said. “The guys have taken a lot of shots this year, but we came back.”

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(Jaco Taute, Michael Killian tries; Elton Jantjies 5 penalties, 2 conversions) def. (Juan de Jongh try; Demetri Catrakilis 5 penalties) HT: 19-12.