With less than a point separating the Cobras from the Titans on the SuperSport Series table, day one of the final round of matches proved to be exciting and entertaining with the trophy still up for grabs.
Two-times defending champions, the Cobras, may regret their decision to put the Lions in to bat first after winning the toss at the Wanderers on Thursday.
Losing two hours to rain at the start of play, the Lions were 228 for four at the close of play after facing 73 overs.
After Stephen Cook was out early, Alviro Petersen and Gulam Bodi combined for a 131-run partnership off 252-balls.
Spinner Dane Piedt was responsible for the dismissal of Petersen inducing the Lions opener to smash a delivery straight to Vernon Philander at midwicket, his 155-balls 93 included 11 fours and a six.
Petersen passed the milestone of scoring 9000 first-class runs in his career.
Bodi, playing at a much slower pace, reached his half-century off 119-balls, with six fours and a six.
He finally gave away his wicket, at the same time awarding the Cobras their first, and much-needed bonus point, when he was caught at backward point for 73.
Neil McKenzie chipped in with 25 and at the close Temba Bavuma was unbeaten on 18 and Thami Tsolekile on six.
Meanwhile, in Centurion, the Titans were racing to earn their bonus points against the Dolphins.
They powered their way to 473 for nine declared with century-makers Faf du Plessis and Heino Kuhn destroying the bowling figures.
With Jacques Rudolph back in the changerooms for four, Martin van Jaarsveld and Kuhn combined for a century partnership before Van Jaarsveld was caught behind for his half-century.
Kuhn weighed in with 128 off 143-balls, while Du Plessis scored an impressive 157 off 162-balls smashing 15 fours and four sixes.
Mthokozisi Shezi took three wickets for 56 early in the match but Brandon Scullard, playing only his second first-class game, went for 143 runs. He took the wicket of Henry Davids on 73, preventing him from becoming the third centurion of the day.
And if that batting display was not enough, the home side finished off with two quick wickets leaving the Dolphins reeling on five for two at the close.
In the other match being played in Port Elizabeth, the Knights were all out for 240 runs against the Warriors.
Johan van der Wath and Ryan McLaren shared the honours, weighing in with 79 and 74 respectively.
Gurshwin Rabie did most of the damage, taking four wickets for 69.
In reply, the Warriors were 79-2 with JJ Smuts unbeaten on 17 and Ashwell Prince on 13. – Sapa