Well done to Ross Ford, who probably showed enough in his game on Tuesday to sneak onto the bench. Monye is being ruthlessly punished for missing his chances on Saturday. It’s all on the line now. Apart from Ellis, it’s a pretty strong bench, too. I'm sorry to see Hook miss out, as I think he has looked sharp and the Welsh “wizard” Shane Williams is given one last chance.

Lions: Kearney, Bowe, O’ Driscoll, Roberts, Fitzgerald, Jones , Phillips,  Jenkins,  Rees,  A Jones, Shaw, O’Connell, Croft, Wallace, Heaslip

Replacements: Ford, Sheridan, Wyn Jones, Williams, Ellis, O’Gara, S Williams

Schalk “Cheese” Burger has been brought back in for the impressive Broussow. Otherwise the front-line team remains pretty much as is.

South Africa: F. Steyn (Sharks); JP Pietersen (Sharks), A. Jacobs (Sharks), J. de Villiers (Stormers), B. Habana (Bulls); R. Pienaar (Sharks), F. du Preez (Bulls); T. Mtawarira (Sharks), B. du Plessis (Sharks), J. Smit (Sharks), B. Botha (Bulls), V. Matfield (Bulls), S. Burger (Stormers), J. Smith (Cheetahs), P. Spies (Bulls).

Replacements: C. Ralepelle (Bulls), D. Carstens (Sharks), A. Bekker (Stormers), D. Rossouw (Bulls), H. Brussow (Cheetahs), J. Fourie (Lions), M. Steyn (Bulls).