British Lions Must Overcome Springbok Forwards To Square Series

(Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

The British and Irish Lions were given a harsh lesson in what is required to defeat a full strength South Africa, and the 26-21 score line didn’t reflect on how dominant the World Champions were up front.

Any thoughts of the home team being under prepared were quickly dispelled, as South Africa impressively exerted their authority on a Lions pack that has been exposed at times against provincial opposition.

The one area of their game which had been found wanting in the build up to the first test had been at the tackle area, but the Lions won nearly three times more rucks as the Springboks (32 to 82) and competed manfully against the more aggressive South African forwards.

The Springbok loose forwards put in an honest display, but it was not them, but their tight five that effectively won the match for the World Champions. 

Ironically, the one area of their forward play where it was thought there might provide headaches for the World Champions—in the scrum, was reduced to a shambles as Tendai Mtawarira executed a stunning demolition job on the World Cup winning prop, a man who has worn the captaincy armband for both England and the Lions, Phil Vickery.

This was coupled with the expected lineout dominance of the Springboks, where Victor Matfield was untouchable in the air, but the Lions woes were compounded by a mixed performance by their hooker Lee Mears.

But the Springboks looked every bit like a World Champion team.

Lack of recent match time did not affect them, and the Lions were sucker punched by the South African opening onslaught. Even with three of their backline playing their first games after being out with injury, they all hit the ground running.

Their set-piece command allowed them to choke the Lions, especially in the first half.  No doubt the morale of the tourists would have suffered watching their first phase foundations get so easily picked apart by some of the best forwards in world rugby.

However, as it was at times last year, there were occasions where the Springboks strategic creativity was lacking, especially against the creative genius of the outstanding Lions midfield of Brian O’Driscoll and Jamie Roberts. 

Here, the Lions will draw their inspiration. 

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