South Africa produce ruthless second-half display to level series against British and Irish Lions
Lions vs South Africa, player ratings: Stuart Hogg unconvincing, Duhan van der Merwe reckless
Lions v South Africa, third test: Live score and latest updates from Cape Town
And so, once more, the hopes of the British and Irish Lions will go to the wire after a ruthlessly magnificent response by South Africa to their first Test defeat now takes the series to the third Test next Saturday.
Yet now it is the world champions who are now in pole position to clinch the series, given the manner and dominance of their second-half display, scoring 21 points without reply and looking back to their menacing best.
There was echoes of their World Cup final victory over England in November 2019 in the way they exerted an absolute iron-grip on the contest, outplaying the Lions in the aerial battle and then twisting the psychological knife through their scrum and mauling game, clearly benefiting from the game time of the first Test.
It proved to be a testing night for the Lions back three of Stuart Hogg, Duhan van der Merwe and Anthony Watson. Hogg is a brilliant counter-attacking full-back from poor kick-returns but less effective when the aerial assault is on the front-foot and time and again the Springboks hammered home their advantage here, with the Lions unable to get any change from their own contests in the air.
Liam Williams, arguably the Lions best player in the air, must now come into the side for what Warren Gatland described as “the cup final”. Van der Merwe, who was shown a yellow card for a trip on Cheslin Kolbe and may yet be cited for a tackle on Pieter-Steph du Toit that forced the Springbok flanker out of the contest with a shoulder injury, was also ineffective.
Gatland had pinned his hopes on the physicality and power of van der Merwe but surely it is time for Josh Adams, who has scored eight tries in four appearances for the Lions to be given a start for the decider.
The Lions were effectively undone by their lack of ambition. The lessons of their first Test victory was that by neutralising the Springboks main points of difference and improving their discipline might just have been enough to get them over the line.
But that strategy relied on successful return from their own kicking game, when that did not materialise, the Lions suddenly looked short on attacking ambition. And unlike the first Test, last night the Springboks bench proved to be far more impactful with Malcolm Marx and Lood de Jager making huge contributions.
The selections of both sides may yet be influenced by the match citing commissioner however as almost inevitably, in a week that was dominated by Rassie Erasmus’ stinging criticism of the match officials in their first Test defeat, the contest was not without controversy.
The impact of Erasmus’s was to ensure that the first half lasted longer than his 63-minute video rant as almost every controversial decision was agonised over by referee Ben O'Keeffe, his assistants and the television match official Marius Jonker.
At a time when the game is trying to grow its global audience, it was a terrible look and denied the contest any rhythm or momentum and stripped the Lions of the ability to bring tempo to the game.
The major talking points came in the first half at a time when the Lions were still in the game and attempting to pull away. Van der Merwe was rightly shown a yellow card for a trip on Cheslin Kolbe but then the Springbok wing was lucky not to have been shown a red card for taking out Conor Murray in the air, with the Ireland scrum-half’s stretched arm only preventing him from landing directly on his neck.
It would have been a big decision in the context of the occasion but it was hard not to draw any other conclusion given the protection for playing players in the air.
The Lions will also have felt aggrieved at the decision not to award a try for Robbie Henshaw after the Ireland centre gathered Dan Biggar’s chip over the defensive line and ground the ball as he landed under a heavy tackle by Siya Kolisi.
There was also bewilderment from the Lions camp that a tackle by Faf de Klerk on Murray was not reviewed although O'Keeffe had ruled that Bongi Mbonambi had been guilty of a no-arms tackle.
At that moment it felt like the Lions were building towards victory.
Makazole Mapimpi was penalised for playing the ball in the ruck and although Franco Mostert managed to pinch the ball from Courtney Lawes, Maro Itoje tackled Etzebeth over the line to give the Lions a five-metre scrum and Gatland’s side thought they had landed a decisive blow when Henshaw gathered Biggar’s chip and appeared to ground the ball as he crashed to the ground over the line but no try was awarded.
Biggar’s third penalty, to two by Handre Pollard, at least gave the Lions a 9-6 lead at the break, a 12-point swing from their position in the first Test.
But it proved utterly deceptive. This time it was the Springboks who grew into the contest, dominating. The Lions would not score again, only the sixth try they would be held try-less in their history.
It was the most impressive period of pressure from the Springboks in a game of few highlights culminated in a try after de Klerk threw a long pass to Pollard and he dummied and then chipped perfectly to Mapimpi to score.
From the restart, the Lions went long and Jasper Wiese knocked on to gift an attacking scrum. When Mapimpi was penalised for playing the ball after the tackle, Biggar’s penalty in the 51st minute rebounded off the upright and the Springboks cleared. It was the last chance the Lions had of restoring the lead.
The psychological blow came via a huge maul by the Springboks pack and then de Klerk brilliantly chipped through to Lukhanyo Am who just about grounded the ball with downward pressure. The lead was now nine points. It was one-way traffic from then on, with the Springboks forward pressure and aerial dominance winning penalty after penalty, nine in total after the break, with Pollard landing three of them to seal a comprehensive victory. Onto Saturday we go.
Lions v South Africa, second Test: as it happened
07:01 PMPost-match
A massive congratulations to the @Springboks for an outstanding performance.
We’ll see you next week 👊#LionsRugby #BoksvLions #CastleLionsSeries pic.twitter.com/zXMSwOZI40
— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) July 31, 2021
06:57 PMJacques Nienaber speaks
That was a great response. The guys really worked hard. We stuck to on-field stuff and hats off to the guys, there was stuff to rectify from last week.
A lot was probably what we had to fix. We felt we had opportunities last week that we didn't finish. Today, we had a couple of opportunities and we used both of them.
I think Rassie as director of rugby had something on his mind, on his heart that he wanted to get across. That's the message that went out from his side, from our side we focused on the rugby stuff on the field.
The guys coming off the bench were excellent. Last week our loosehead had a neck injury, we would have loved to keep him on a little bit longer. This week the guys coming off the bench did really well.
We'll go and do our same process. I thought we had guts and grinded it out, but there were a lot of things we can still improve on. We'll go back to our process and work through it.
06:48 PMWarren Gatland speaks
We've just said we're disappointed with that second half, well done to South Africa. We've got another game next week which is like a cup final. We just have to get ourselves up for that. They have put a lot of emotion into that game today. We've got an opportunity next week. It's 1-1, so pretty exciting really.
The aerial stuff, we didn't get any return from any scraps. They tended to get the benefit out of that. Obviously the set-piece was pretty good, they scrummed pretty well. Hey look, there's no excuses from our point of view.
[On decisions] We'll have a look at it and if there's any issues we'll go through the right channels, I won't be going through social media to express my views (laughs) We'll spent the next couple of days doing the review and catch up with the referees next week if there are any concerns.
Nothing I can think of. The referees made calls and we'll just get some thoughts from him when we have a chat.
Look it's going to be a challenge for us, there's no doubt. We were pretty happy at half-time with the way the game was going. Very slow second half, stop start and we couldn't get any momentum. We didn't have an opportunity to put phases together and keep the tempo up, and they did a good job slowing that down and way gave away some soft penalties, so we need to address that. But we kept an opportunity to go back and train hard.
Guys just spoke in the changing room about making sure we stay tight. It's a cup final next week. It's not going to be tough, the players just have to quickly put that disappointment behind them. These guys have worked and trained incredibly hard over the past seven weeks.
It's a bit hard to think about [changes] right now, but we'll look at the tape and see and critique some performances. It was tough on the bench, they didn't get a chance to get into the game. There's a lot of competition in the squad and we have options.
06:36 PMSiya Kolisi speaks
It's been a week. I just said now, for me personally as a leader it's the toughest week I've had to face. The coaches made sure we focused. We know we made a lot of mistakes out there last week. Having our families here has helped a lot.
It was huge. We know what we needed to do, it's the pressure we felt from the World Cup but a bit more. You go what to works for you and as a team we went back to what we know, the systems. You can't control everything, but what we can apply on the field, that's what we focused on.
[With Nic Berry] that's nothing personal. I don't want to elaborate on it, because I want to talk to the person about it, and today was better. I've worked with Ben before and it was great working with [Ben O'Keeffe]. He came to me afterwards and I said thank you.
It's game on. We're going to go again, nothing different, try and do what we did today even harder.
06:29 PMAlun Wyn Jones speaks
Looking at ourselves, the aerial battle and set-piece probably got away from us. We sort of piggy-backed penalties on the pitch which you can't do at this level.
The set-piece they got back what they didn't have last week, but we'll have a look. Ultimately we can't give away those penalties.
We said before the game our focus was what happened on the field, and it still is.
In the immediacy after the game it's disappointing. We didn't want to take it to a third Test but we have and we have another opportunity.
What I do know is Gats will make changes, he won't be afraid of that.
06:23 PMThe view from South Africa
Rassie’s Rant worked.
— Kevin McCallum (@KevinMcCallum) July 31, 2021
What happens when a referee respects the Springboks.#LionsSA2021
— Dylan Jack (@dylmjack) July 31, 2021
06:17 PMRobbie Henshaw speaks
Very tough. It's Test match footy. Momentum swings both ways and they got the edge on us in an arm wrestle of a game.
It's the small things that didn't go our way, those 50-50s favoured South Africa. Those small swings of momentum, they managed to get their back up. We have a lot of work to do, need to look at each other in the eye and make sure we get back into it.
It's all to play for next week, finals rugby at the top level.
06:13 PMFULL-TIME: South Africa 27-9 British and Irish Lions
Post-match
A massive congratulations to the @Springboks for an outstanding performance.
— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) July 31, 2021
We’ll see you next week 👊#LionsRugby #BoksvLions #CastleLionsSeries pic.twitter.com/zXMSwOZI40
06:57 PMJacques Nienaber speaks
That was a great response. The guys really worked hard. We stuck to on-field stuff and hats off to the guys, there was stuff to rectify from last week.
A lot was probably what we had to fix. We felt we had opportunities last week that we didn't finish. Today, we had a couple of opportunities and we used both of them.
I think Rassie as director of rugby had something on his mind, on his heart that he wanted to get across. That's the message that went out from his side, from our side we focused on the rugby stuff on the field.
The guys coming off the bench were excellent. Last week our loosehead had a neck injury, we would have loved to keep him on a little bit longer. This week the guys coming off the bench did really well.
We'll go and do our same process. I thought we had guts and grinded it out, but there were a lot of things we can still improve on. We'll go back to our process and work through it.
06:48 PMWarren Gatland speaks
We've just said we're disappointed with that second half, well done to South Africa. We've got another game next week which is like a cup final. We just have to get ourselves up for that. They have put a lot of emotion into that game today. We've got an opportunity next week. It's 1-1, so pretty exciting really.
The aerial stuff, we didn't get any return from any scraps. They tended to get the benefit out of that. Obviously the set-piece was pretty good, they scrummed pretty well. Hey look, there's no excuses from our point of view.
[On decisions] We'll have a look at it and if there's any issues we'll go through the right channels, I won't be going through social media to express my views (laughs) We'll spent the next couple of days doing the review and catch up with the referees next week if there are any concerns.
Nothing I can think of. The referees made calls and we'll just get some thoughts from him when we have a chat.
Look it's going to be a challenge for us, there's no doubt. We were pretty happy at half-time with the way the game was going. Very slow second half, stop start and we couldn't get any momentum. We didn't have an opportunity to put phases together and keep the tempo up, and they did a good job slowing that down and way gave away some soft penalties, so we need to address that. But we kept an opportunity to go back and train hard.
Guys just spoke in the changing room about making sure we stay tight. It's a cup final next week. It's not going to be tough, the players just have to quickly put that disappointment behind them. These guys have worked and trained incredibly hard over the past seven weeks.
It's a bit hard to think about [changes] right now, but we'll look at the tape and see and critique some performances. It was tough on the bench, they didn't get a chance to get into the game. There's a lot of competition in the squad and we have options.
06:36 PMSiya Kolisi speaks
It's been a week. I just said now, for me personally as a leader it's the toughest week I've had to face. The coaches made sure we focused. We know we made a lot of mistakes out there last week. Having our families here has helped a lot.
It was huge. We know what we needed to do, it's the pressure we felt from the World Cup but a bit more. You go what to works for you and as a team we went back to what we know, the systems. You can't control everything, but what we can apply on the field, that's what we focused on.
[With Nic Berry] that's nothing personal. I don't want to elaborate on it, because I want to talk to the person about it, and today was better. I've worked with Ben before and it was great working with [Ben O'Keeffe]. He came to me afterwards and I said thank you.
It's game on. We're going to go again, nothing different, try and do what we did today even harder.
06:29 PMAlun Wyn Jones speaks
Looking at ourselves, the aerial battle and set-piece probably got away from us. We sort of piggy-backed penalties on the pitch which you can't do at this level.
The set-piece they got back what they didn't have last week, but we'll have a look. Ultimately we can't give away those penalties.
We said before the game our focus was what happened on the field, and it still is.
In the immediacy after the game it's disappointing. We didn't want to take it to a third Test but we have and we have another opportunity.
What I do know is Gats will make changes, he won't be afraid of that.
06:23 PMThe view from South Africa
Rassie’s Rant worked.
— Kevin McCallum (@KevinMcCallum) July 31, 2021
What happens when a referee respects the Springboks.#LionsSA2021
— Dylan Jack (@dylmjack) July 31, 2021
06:17 PMRobbie Henshaw speaks
Very tough. It's Test match footy. Momentum swings both ways and they got the edge on us in an arm wrestle of a game.
It's the small things that didn't go our way, those 50-50s favoured South Africa. Those small swings of momentum, they managed to get their back up. We have a lot of work to do, need to look at each other in the eye and make sure we get back into it.
It's all to play for next week, finals rugby at the top level.
06:13 PMFULL-TIME: South Africa 27-9 British and Irish Lions
Jacques Nienaber speaks
That was a great response. The guys really worked hard. We stuck to on-field stuff and hats off to the guys, there was stuff to rectify from last week.
A lot was probably what we had to fix. We felt we had opportunities last week that we didn't finish. Today, we had a couple of opportunities and we used both of them.
I think Rassie as director of rugby had something on his mind, on his heart that he wanted to get across. That's the message that went out from his side, from our side we focused on the rugby stuff on the field.
The guys coming off the bench were excellent. Last week our loosehead had a neck injury, we would have loved to keep him on a little bit longer. This week the guys coming off the bench did really well.
We'll go and do our same process. I thought we had guts and grinded it out, but there were a lot of things we can still improve on. We'll go back to our process and work through it.
06:48 PMWarren Gatland speaks
We've just said we're disappointed with that second half, well done to South Africa. We've got another game next week which is like a cup final. We just have to get ourselves up for that. They have put a lot of emotion into that game today. We've got an opportunity next week. It's 1-1, so pretty exciting really.
The aerial stuff, we didn't get any return from any scraps. They tended to get the benefit out of that. Obviously the set-piece was pretty good, they scrummed pretty well. Hey look, there's no excuses from our point of view.
[On decisions] We'll have a look at it and if there's any issues we'll go through the right channels, I won't be going through social media to express my views (laughs) We'll spent the next couple of days doing the review and catch up with the referees next week if there are any concerns.
Nothing I can think of. The referees made calls and we'll just get some thoughts from him when we have a chat.
Look it's going to be a challenge for us, there's no doubt. We were pretty happy at half-time with the way the game was going. Very slow second half, stop start and we couldn't get any momentum. We didn't have an opportunity to put phases together and keep the tempo up, and they did a good job slowing that down and way gave away some soft penalties, so we need to address that. But we kept an opportunity to go back and train hard.
Guys just spoke in the changing room about making sure we stay tight. It's a cup final next week. It's not going to be tough, the players just have to quickly put that disappointment behind them. These guys have worked and trained incredibly hard over the past seven weeks.
It's a bit hard to think about [changes] right now, but we'll look at the tape and see and critique some performances. It was tough on the bench, they didn't get a chance to get into the game. There's a lot of competition in the squad and we have options.
06:36 PMSiya Kolisi speaks
It's been a week. I just said now, for me personally as a leader it's the toughest week I've had to face. The coaches made sure we focused. We know we made a lot of mistakes out there last week. Having our families here has helped a lot.
It was huge. We know what we needed to do, it's the pressure we felt from the World Cup but a bit more. You go what to works for you and as a team we went back to what we know, the systems. You can't control everything, but what we can apply on the field, that's what we focused on.
[With Nic Berry] that's nothing personal. I don't want to elaborate on it, because I want to talk to the person about it, and today was better. I've worked with Ben before and it was great working with [Ben O'Keeffe]. He came to me afterwards and I said thank you.
It's game on. We're going to go again, nothing different, try and do what we did today even harder.
06:29 PMAlun Wyn Jones speaks
Looking at ourselves, the aerial battle and set-piece probably got away from us. We sort of piggy-backed penalties on the pitch which you can't do at this level.
The set-piece they got back what they didn't have last week, but we'll have a look. Ultimately we can't give away those penalties.
We said before the game our focus was what happened on the field, and it still is.
In the immediacy after the game it's disappointing. We didn't want to take it to a third Test but we have and we have another opportunity.
What I do know is Gats will make changes, he won't be afraid of that.
06:23 PMThe view from South Africa
Rassie’s Rant worked.
— Kevin McCallum (@KevinMcCallum) July 31, 2021
What happens when a referee respects the Springboks.#LionsSA2021
— Dylan Jack (@dylmjack) July 31, 2021
06:17 PMRobbie Henshaw speaks
Very tough. It's Test match footy. Momentum swings both ways and they got the edge on us in an arm wrestle of a game.
It's the small things that didn't go our way, those 50-50s favoured South Africa. Those small swings of momentum, they managed to get their back up. We have a lot of work to do, need to look at each other in the eye and make sure we get back into it.
It's all to play for next week, finals rugby at the top level.
06:13 PMFULL-TIME: South Africa 27-9 British and Irish Lions
Warren Gatland speaks
We've just said we're disappointed with that second half, well done to South Africa. We've got another game next week which is like a cup final. We just have to get ourselves up for that. They have put a lot of emotion into that game today. We've got an opportunity next week. It's 1-1, so pretty exciting really.
The aerial stuff, we didn't get any return from any scraps. They tended to get the benefit out of that. Obviously the set-piece was pretty good, they scrummed pretty well. Hey look, there's no excuses from our point of view.
[On decisions] We'll have a look at it and if there's any issues we'll go through the right channels, I won't be going through social media to express my views (laughs) We'll spent the next couple of days doing the review and catch up with the referees next week if there are any concerns.
Nothing I can think of. The referees made calls and we'll just get some thoughts from him when we have a chat.
Look it's going to be a challenge for us, there's no doubt. We were pretty happy at half-time with the way the game was going. Very slow second half, stop start and we couldn't get any momentum. We didn't have an opportunity to put phases together and keep the tempo up, and they did a good job slowing that down and way gave away some soft penalties, so we need to address that. But we kept an opportunity to go back and train hard.
Guys just spoke in the changing room about making sure we stay tight. It's a cup final next week. It's not going to be tough, the players just have to quickly put that disappointment behind them. These guys have worked and trained incredibly hard over the past seven weeks.
It's a bit hard to think about [changes] right now, but we'll look at the tape and see and critique some performances. It was tough on the bench, they didn't get a chance to get into the game. There's a lot of competition in the squad and we have options.
06:36 PMSiya Kolisi speaks
It's been a week. I just said now, for me personally as a leader it's the toughest week I've had to face. The coaches made sure we focused. We know we made a lot of mistakes out there last week. Having our families here has helped a lot.
It was huge. We know what we needed to do, it's the pressure we felt from the World Cup but a bit more. You go what to works for you and as a team we went back to what we know, the systems. You can't control everything, but what we can apply on the field, that's what we focused on.
[With Nic Berry] that's nothing personal. I don't want to elaborate on it, because I want to talk to the person about it, and today was better. I've worked with Ben before and it was great working with [Ben O'Keeffe]. He came to me afterwards and I said thank you.
It's game on. We're going to go again, nothing different, try and do what we did today even harder.
06:29 PMAlun Wyn Jones speaks
Looking at ourselves, the aerial battle and set-piece probably got away from us. We sort of piggy-backed penalties on the pitch which you can't do at this level.
The set-piece they got back what they didn't have last week, but we'll have a look. Ultimately we can't give away those penalties.
We said before the game our focus was what happened on the field, and it still is.
In the immediacy after the game it's disappointing. We didn't want to take it to a third Test but we have and we have another opportunity.
What I do know is Gats will make changes, he won't be afraid of that.
06:23 PMThe view from South Africa
Rassie’s Rant worked.
— Kevin McCallum (@KevinMcCallum) July 31, 2021
What happens when a referee respects the Springboks.#LionsSA2021
— Dylan Jack (@dylmjack) July 31, 2021
06:17 PMRobbie Henshaw speaks
Very tough. It's Test match footy. Momentum swings both ways and they got the edge on us in an arm wrestle of a game.
It's the small things that didn't go our way, those 50-50s favoured South Africa. Those small swings of momentum, they managed to get their back up. We have a lot of work to do, need to look at each other in the eye and make sure we get back into it.
It's all to play for next week, finals rugby at the top level.
06:13 PMFULL-TIME: South Africa 27-9 British and Irish Lions
Siya Kolisi speaks
It's been a week. I just said now, for me personally as a leader it's the toughest week I've had to face. The coaches made sure we focused. We know we made a lot of mistakes out there last week. Having our families here has helped a lot.
It was huge. We know what we needed to do, it's the pressure we felt from the World Cup but a bit more. You go what to works for you and as a team we went back to what we know, the systems. You can't control everything, but what we can apply on the field, that's what we focused on.
[With Nic Berry] that's nothing personal. I don't want to elaborate on it, because I want to talk to the person about it, and today was better. I've worked with Ben before and it was great working with [Ben O'Keeffe]. He came to me afterwards and I said thank you.
It's game on. We're going to go again, nothing different, try and do what we did today even harder.
06:29 PMAlun Wyn Jones speaks
Looking at ourselves, the aerial battle and set-piece probably got away from us. We sort of piggy-backed penalties on the pitch which you can't do at this level.
The set-piece they got back what they didn't have last week, but we'll have a look. Ultimately we can't give away those penalties.
We said before the game our focus was what happened on the field, and it still is.
In the immediacy after the game it's disappointing. We didn't want to take it to a third Test but we have and we have another opportunity.
What I do know is Gats will make changes, he won't be afraid of that.
06:23 PMThe view from South Africa
Rassie’s Rant worked.
— Kevin McCallum (@KevinMcCallum) July 31, 2021
What happens when a referee respects the Springboks.#LionsSA2021
— Dylan Jack (@dylmjack) July 31, 2021
06:17 PMRobbie Henshaw speaks
Very tough. It's Test match footy. Momentum swings both ways and they got the edge on us in an arm wrestle of a game.
It's the small things that didn't go our way, those 50-50s favoured South Africa. Those small swings of momentum, they managed to get their back up. We have a lot of work to do, need to look at each other in the eye and make sure we get back into it.
It's all to play for next week, finals rugby at the top level.
06:13 PMFULL-TIME: South Africa 27-9 British and Irish Lions
Alun Wyn Jones speaks
Looking at ourselves, the aerial battle and set-piece probably got away from us. We sort of piggy-backed penalties on the pitch which you can't do at this level.
The set-piece they got back what they didn't have last week, but we'll have a look. Ultimately we can't give away those penalties.
We said before the game our focus was what happened on the field, and it still is.
In the immediacy after the game it's disappointing. We didn't want to take it to a third Test but we have and we have another opportunity.
What I do know is Gats will make changes, he won't be afraid of that.
06:23 PMThe view from South Africa
Rassie’s Rant worked.
— Kevin McCallum (@KevinMcCallum) July 31, 2021
What happens when a referee respects the Springboks.#LionsSA2021
— Dylan Jack (@dylmjack) July 31, 2021
06:17 PMRobbie Henshaw speaks
Very tough. It's Test match footy. Momentum swings both ways and they got the edge on us in an arm wrestle of a game.
It's the small things that didn't go our way, those 50-50s favoured South Africa. Those small swings of momentum, they managed to get their back up. We have a lot of work to do, need to look at each other in the eye and make sure we get back into it.
It's all to play for next week, finals rugby at the top level.
06:13 PMFULL-TIME: South Africa 27-9 British and Irish Lions
The view from South Africa
Rassie’s Rant worked.
— Kevin McCallum (@KevinMcCallum) July 31, 2021
What happens when a referee respects the Springboks.#LionsSA2021
— Dylan Jack (@dylmjack) July 31, 2021
06:17 PMRobbie Henshaw speaks
Very tough. It's Test match footy. Momentum swings both ways and they got the edge on us in an arm wrestle of a game.
It's the small things that didn't go our way, those 50-50s favoured South Africa. Those small swings of momentum, they managed to get their back up. We have a lot of work to do, need to look at each other in the eye and make sure we get back into it.
It's all to play for next week, finals rugby at the top level.
06:13 PMFULL-TIME: South Africa 27-9 British and Irish Lions
Robbie Henshaw speaks
Very tough. It's Test match footy. Momentum swings both ways and they got the edge on us in an arm wrestle of a game.
It's the small things that didn't go our way, those 50-50s favoured South Africa. Those small swings of momentum, they managed to get their back up. We have a lot of work to do, need to look at each other in the eye and make sure we get back into it.
It's all to play for next week, finals rugby at the top level.
06:13 PMFULL-TIME: South Africa 27-9 British and Irish Lions
FULL-TIME: South Africa 27-9 British and Irish Lions
Pollard drains the penalty and it's a second-half thrashing. The world champions look like world champions again.
Who doesn't love a series decider?! Now we all need a lie down.
06:12 PM78 mins - South Africa 24-9 British and Irish Lions
78 mins - South Africa 24-9 British and Irish Lions
Rare error by De Jager as he knocks on - he's been brilliant off the bench - before Farrell chips for Daly. De Allende gets back well though.
06:09 PM77 mins - South Africa 24-9 British and Irish Lions
77 mins - South Africa 24-9 British and Irish Lions
Boks have a breakdown penalty - officials just checking a tackle by Mostert on Farrell but all looks fine. Pollard finds touch in the Lions 22 - get another maul going here and the Boks can really rub the Lions faces in this.
06:05 PMPENALTY POLLARD! South Africa 24-9 British and Irish Lions
PENALTY POLLARD! South Africa 24-9 British and Irish Lions
Amazing scrum from the Boks! Absolutely crumpled the Lions upfront. It's a pasting in this second half. Nyakane again! Pollard to take three points, just to make sure.
If you're Gatland, you're already thinking about selection for next week. Lions have been undercooked in this second half.
Nailed by Pollard.
06:02 PM74 mins - South Africa 21-9 British and Irish Lions
74 mins - South Africa 21-9 British and Irish Lions
Another punishing maul from the Boks, no penalty though. Pollard with another bomb and Watson can't take it cleanly, knocks on. Boks' scrum in the Lions' 22.
06:01 PM73 mins - South Africa 21-9 British and Irish Lions
73 mins - South Africa 21-9 British and Irish Lions
Lions trying to play a bit more and there's Marx at the breakdown! The Boks' bench was so quiet last week, phenomenal seven days later. Kolisi makes way, replaced by Van Staden.
Penalty count just flashed up: SA 1, Lions 6 in the second half.
06:00 PMPENALTY POLLARD! South Africa 21-9 British and Irish Lions
PENALTY POLLARD! South Africa 21-9 British and Irish Lions
It's done. What an effort from the South African bench, they've got the Lions in a vice right now.
05:59 PM70 mins - South Africa 18-9 British and Irish Lions
70 mins - South Africa 18-9 British and Irish Lions
Another decent kick from the Lions which Watson can't quite win back. Ball pings around and the Lions get a scrum.
Collapse at the scrum by the Lions! Think it was on Sinckler by Nyakane. Pollard taking a shot.
05:55 PM66 mins - South Africa 18-9 British and Irish Lions
66 mins - South Africa 18-9 British and Irish Lions
Springboks have been excellent at the lineout since De Jager came on - another penalty won at the maul for the hosts, as Pollard tries a wide chip which doesn't come off.
Etzebeth wins the next lineout but is played in the air, another penalty coming for the Boks. Back we come for it. The maul is working so well the Boks might as well put this into touch and give it another go.
Feels a lot like the first Test this, but when the Lions were dominant and getting the calls.
Willemse now on for Mapimpi.
05:51 PM64 mins - South Africa 18-9 British and Irish Lions
64 mins - South Africa 18-9 British and Irish Lions
De Klerk hurt his hip making a box kick and now he's off, Jantjies on. Lions have a lineout near halfway - Owens to Sutherland at the front but it backfires and the Boks snatch it back! Lineout has crumbled since Owens came on.
05:49 PM62 mins - South Africa 18-9 British and Irish Lions
62 mins - South Africa 18-9 British and Irish Lions
Hogg with another mistake under the high ball but the Lions have the ball back briefly, Farrell kicking high. THen Watson hoofs it downfield. Clock starting to go against the Lions here. Daly is on.
05:47 PMTRY AM! South Africa 18-9 British and Irish Lions
TRY AM! South Africa 18-9 British and Irish Lions
Excellent rolling maul from the Boks, Marx has a go at the back, then Etzebeth. Low kick through and Am has scored! Executed perfectly by South Africa and with the conversion to come right in front, South Africa are looking at a nine-point lead here.
It's being checked extensively though - did Am knock the ball on? He's onside. They've looked at all the angles. Nigel Owens on Sky is saying he's knocked it on but looks as though there was contact with the palm on the ball to ground it. Pollard converts - Boks have a nine-point lead! Lions adrift here.
05:43 PM60 mins - South Africa 11-9 British and Irish Lions
60 mins - South Africa 11-9 British and Irish Lions
Price on for Murray. Another Lions free-kick at the scrum as the Springboks spin. Farrell now also on.
Penalty Springboks after Farrell's high kick, Watson for a tackle in the air on Pollard, just like the Mapimpi call earlier so that's consistent.
Nyakane on for Kitshoff. Nyakane's first game for the Boks at loosehead since 2017.
Conan off, Faletau on.
Pollard finds touch with the lineout just inside the Lions' 22 - big moment here for the Springboks' maul.
05:40 PM59 mins - South Africa 11-9 British and Irish Lions
59 mins - South Africa 11-9 British and Irish Lions
Owens throwing to the tail and De Jager steals it! Bomb from Pollard, best take by Hogg all afternoon, well played - and the Lions get a scrum.
05:39 PM58 mins - South Africa 11-9 British and Irish Lions
58 mins - South Africa 11-9 British and Irish Lions
New front row for the Lions - Sutherland, Owens and Sinckler all on. Boks do the same with Marx and Koch on for Mbonambi and Malherbe.
Marx hits his man at the lineout, brief maul, high from De Klerk and Van der Merwe this time loses the ball into touch. Lions really losing the battle in the air at the moment.
05:38 PM57 mins - South Africa 11-9 British and Irish Lions
57 mins - South Africa 11-9 British and Irish Lions
De Jager on for Wiese, that should help SA's lineout, with Mostert now at six. Hogg's high kick, bounces back towards the Lions half and Henshaw is harried into touch by Am. SA lineout on their 10-metre line.
05:36 PMMapimpi's excellent try
🏉 South Africa 11-9 Lions 🏉
"𝘽𝙍𝙄𝙇𝙇𝙄𝘼𝙉𝙏 - 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙-𝙘𝙡𝙖𝙨𝙨 𝙩𝙧𝙮 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙢𝙥𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨"
Springboks score as Mapimpi gets onto the end of a Pollard kick - he still has a lot to do but gets past Hogg! 🇿🇦#LionsRugby | #BoksvLions pic.twitter.com/RwPosdNxXA
— Sky Sports Rugby Union (@SkySportsRugby) July 31, 2021
05:36 PM55 mins - South Africa 11-9 British and Irish Lions
Mapimpi's excellent try
🏉 South Africa 11-9 Lions 🏉
— Sky Sports Rugby Union (@SkySportsRugby) July 31, 2021
"𝘽𝙍𝙄𝙇𝙇𝙄𝘼𝙉𝙏 - 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙-𝙘𝙡𝙖𝙨𝙨 𝙩𝙧𝙮 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙢𝙥𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨"
Springboks score as Mapimpi gets onto the end of a Pollard kick - he still has a lot to do but gets past Hogg! 🇿🇦#LionsRugby | #BoksvLions pic.twitter.com/RwPosdNxXA
05:36 PM55 mins - South Africa 11-9 British and Irish Lions
55 mins - South Africa 11-9 British and Irish Lions
Etzebeth getting some treatment now, but he'll carry on. Again, O'Keeffe not happy with the scrum setups from both sides, calls for a reset.
Referee calls for the Boks to use it, but they don't and the Lions get a free-kick! That was odd. Biggar with a bomb, Henshaw knocks on, De Allende there again to win it back. Cleared to touch by Le Roux, Lions will have a lineout 30 metres out from SA's line.
05:33 PM53 mins - South Africa 11-9 British and Irish Lions
53 mins - South Africa 11-9 British and Irish Lions
Maul doesn't fire for the Lions, so Murray sends up a box kick. Wiese does well to claim that. High kick by Pollard, won by Hogg, then a good hit by Wiese on AWJ.
Lions on their 10-metre, and Murray box kicks. Knocked on by the Lions, Henshaw I think, so the Boks have a scrum on their 10-metre.
05:31 PM51 mins - South Africa 11-9 British and Irish Lions
51 mins - South Africa 11-9 British and Irish Lions
Biggar hits the left upright! It bounces back infield and the Boks clear. Blimey. Lineout for the Lions on halfway.
05:28 PM48 mins - South Africa 11-9 British and Irish Lions
48 mins - South Africa 11-9 British and Irish Lions
Front rows pop up, that looked better from the Lions actually but O'Keeffe wants a reset. Better work from Furlong.
More stable second time around, but, it turns. Another reset. Vunipola shakes his head.
Free-kick Lions, collapses on Malherbe's side. Lions attacking on the Springboks' 22. Ripped by Smith! But, illegally it seems. Referee called tackle, Smith ripped it anyway. Biggar going for a tricky shot at the posts from wide right.
The pitch is having a tough time.
Can we move the third Test to Newlands, please?
This football pitch isn't close to ready for a rugby Test.#LionsSA2021— Dylan Jack (@dylmjack) July 31, 2021
05:25 PM46 mins - South Africa 11-9 British and Irish Lions
46 mins - South Africa 11-9 British and Irish Lions
...but, Wiese knocks on from the restart. Scrum for the Lions deep in South Africa's half.
Pollard's missed five points worth of kicks now. In games like these, that feels big.
05:23 PMTRY MAPIMPI! South Africa 11-9 British and Irish Lions
TRY MAPIMPI! South Africa 11-9 British and Irish Lions
Boks try the maul, moving well, Mbonambi at the tail. Comes to a stop at the Lions 22. Bomb from Pollard, Hogg can't take it, ball bounces to De Allende, Kolisi carries up.
Watson's come in, Pollard with the chip wide, Mapimpi! Catches, cuts inside to score! Magnificent try. The Boks lead! Pollard with the conversion from wide left... and he misses to the left! How crucial might that be?
05:21 PM42 mins - South Africa 6-9 British and Irish Lions
42 mins - South Africa 6-9 British and Irish Lions
Referee resets, Kitshoff a bit eager. O'Keeffe telling Malherbe too to wait for the bind so everything's stable. Penalty South Africa! Furlong loses his bind. Pollard nudges the ball into touch 30 metres out.
The @lionsofficial have had only five tryless tests in their history. All have been against @Springboks, in 1891, 1903, 1962, 1968 and the last in Cape Town in 1974. Let's hope see see a try today!
— Stuart Farmer (@Stu_Farmer) July 31, 2021
05:19 PMHere we go then
Here we go then
Biggar with ball in hand - the Lions could be 40 minutes from an enormous moment in their history. Deep to the left, won by Mostert. De Klerk clears with a box kick, spilled by a charging Hogg. Scrum for the Boks by halfway.
05:17 PMSecond half coming up
Second half coming up
Does feel as though the Lions should be further ahead. Wonder if that will come back to hurt them.
05:13 PMWith the Henshaw non-try
With the Henshaw non-try
Maybe a part of the ball grazed the turf, but there was no clear evidence. Was a nice attacking play though and the Lions have really gone into South Africa in that area.
That half took 62 minutes - exactly the length of Rassie's video...#LionsTour2021 #Lionsrugby #RSAvBIL
— Craig Ray (@craigray11) July 31, 2021
05:07 PMWell, well, well
Well, well, well
Biggest talking points:
Should Kolbe has been red carded? Officials said Murray landed on his back, which was confusing as he certainly landed on his face
Wouldn't mind another replay of the De Klerk tackle which wasn't penalised
O'Keeffe warned both teams about afters, then Curry was guilty of getting stuck into Springboks after the Kolbe-Murray incident
Lions with plenty of high kicks going after Le Roux, who has been flaky
Springboks have given up nine penalties, the Lions six
SA's lineout hampered now with no Du Toit on the field
Probably the key stat other than the length of the first half is that the Lions have yet to miss a tackle. Kolbe being shackled so far. Steve Tandy take a bow
— Daniel Schofield (@danscho1) July 31, 2021
05:04 PMHALF-TIME: South Africa 6-9 British and Irish Lions
HALF-TIME: South Africa 6-9 British and Irish Lions
Both teams back to 15 players now. Good shove by Furlong on the tighthead side but the scrum resets.
Just realised this first half has lasted over an hour. Hope you didn't have any plans later.
Better from the Boks, De Allende into Biggar. Clock goes red and De Klerk dinks it into touch. And that's half-time!
05:01 PM38 mins - South Africa 6-9 British and Irish Lions
38 mins - South Africa 6-9 British and Irish Lions
Etzebeth trying to get the ball off the Lions at the restart, does well to come through the middle, but then tries to collapse it and is penalised. Did lots of good work there and then it backfired. Lions miss touch, kick reply from Pollard but Henshaw does very well.
Van der Merwe knocks on chasing a high kick and the Boks will have a scrum, with just under two minutes to go in this first half.
04:59 PMPENALTY BIGGAR! South Africa 6-9 British and Irish Lions
PENALTY BIGGAR! South Africa 6-9 British and Irish Lions
Honestly, hard to keep up with this. Biggar chips the Lions back ahead.
04:56 PM36 mins - South Africa 6-6 British and Irish Lions
36 mins - South Africa 6-6 British and Irish Lions
Lions attack from the scrum, big hit by De Klerk on Murray, will that be checked? Lions driven back but have a penalty.
Has Henshaw scored? Murray with a box kick chip, Henshaw rises high to claim it, but did he knock on in the grounding? Being checked.
Think Kolisi's doing amazingly there to get an arm under the ball. Superb work.
It's no try, knocked forward. De Klerk's hit deemed fine (!) but we come back for a no-arms tackle by Mbonambi, Lions penalty.
04:54 PM34 mins - South Africa 6-6 British and Irish Lions
34 mins - South Africa 6-6 British and Irish Lions
Mapimpi gets that one wrong, penalised at the ruck and the Lions kick to the corner. Thrown to Lawes five metres out at the tail... but Etzebeth does so well to tap that back, before getting dragged over the line by Itoje. Five-metre scrum for the Lions...
04:51 PMPENALTY POLLARD! South Africa 6-6 British and Irish Lions
PENALTY POLLARD! South Africa 6-6 British and Irish Lions
Cracking strike by Pollard from that angle. We're level again. Lions a minute away from getting Van der Merwe back.
04:50 PM30 mins - South Africa 3-6 British and Irish Lions
30 mins - South Africa 3-6 British and Irish Lions
We've had less than half an hour play, incredibly. Very stop start. Better scrum from the Lions but the Boks get the ball awauy. Am with the grubber, Hogg takes it well. Springboks get the penalty at the ruck! Mapimpi with a turnover win. Pollard going for the posts from wide right.
04:47 PM30 mins - South Africa 3-6 British and Irish Lions
30 mins - South Africa 3-6 British and Irish Lions
Great work by Smith, on for Du Toit, who rips the ball from Jones. Lions had stolen the lineout, Itoje again in the middle ahead of Mostert, and were on the attack. Boks with the scrum in their own 22.
04:45 PM28 mins - South Africa 3-6 British and Irish Lions
28 mins - South Africa 3-6 British and Irish Lions
So much ferocity at the rucks. Lions get the ball wide to left and Hogg chips, rolling into touch in the Boks' 22. Lions will look to pressure the lineout.
04:43 PM26 mins - South Africa 3-6 British and Irish Lions
26 mins - South Africa 3-6 British and Irish Lions
Lions win the lineout but then get shunted back brilliantly by the Boks, still in possession though on SA's 10-metre line. High kick, well taken by Pollard who marks it.
If Rassie’s as serious about player safety as he makes out he should be sprinting on the pitch demanding a red card for Kolbe
— Cammy Black - Scottish Rugby Podcast (@CammyBlack) July 31, 2021
04:37 PM24 mins - South Africa 3-6 British and Irish Lions
24 mins - South Africa 3-6 British and Irish Lions
Boks kick to touch on the 22, but the lineout's stopped because Kolisi isn't clearly in or out. Stolen by Itoje! Brilliant work by the Lions lock.
Lions kick high, Murray chasing and he's taken out in the air by Itoje! Oh boy, big decision here. Players all heated up getting into each other. Officials need to sort this mess out now.
They're checking the incident with Murray, and then any foul play afterwards. Kolbe clatters into Murray's feet as he's making a catch.
Mbonambi now being reviewed for maybe taking out Biggar. Curry was involved but he's in the clear I reckon.
Officials taking their time to see if there's any foul play in the afters.
Kolbe makes contact dangerously and it's a yellow card.
No further action against either side for the afters. Wonder if Kolbe's lucky there. Lions get the penalty.
04:33 PM24 mins - South Africa 3-6 British and Irish Lions
24 mins - South Africa 3-6 British and Irish Lions
Boks looking wide, loose pass, Van der Merwe sticks out his leg looking to hack the ball on, I think, but he connects with Kolbe. Foul play being checked in case he tripped Kolbe, which would be yellow. Looks pretty clear, it's not near the ball. That's an easy yellow. Yellow card - Lions down to 14 men.
04:30 PM22 mins - South Africa 3-6 British and Irish Lions
22 mins - South Africa 3-6 British and Irish Lions
Malherbe strikes at the scrum, forcing a penalty out of Vunipola. Boy he's good when on the money. Boks find touch near halfway in the Lions half.
04:29 PM20 mins - South Africa 3-6 British and Irish Lions
20 mins - South Africa 3-6 British and Irish Lions
Wiese held up in the tackle and Lawes wins the ball back, nice work by the Lions. With possession on halfway.
Murray box kicks, Van der Merwe does well to pat that back. On SA's 10-metre line, Furlong carrying into Kitshoff. Back to Biggar who kicks high, missed by Le Roux but Pollard mops up. Have the Lions turned that over? Not quite, scrum to the Boks as the ball wasn't coming out. De Klerk protesting but didn't get the penalty he wanted.
Du Toit is off! Oh man that's a shame. Smith comes on.
04:25 PM18 mins - South Africa 3-6 British and Irish Lions
18 mins - South Africa 3-6 British and Irish Lions
Nice kick by Pollard, Hogg catches it but then the Boks counter-ruck really well to win a penalty through Am. Shot at the posts? Yep.
It's drifting... Pollard misses to the left! That's unusual.
04:24 PMPENALTY BIGGAR! South Africa 3-6 British and Irish Lions
PENALTY BIGGAR! South Africa 3-6 British and Irish Lions
Two out of two for the Lions No 10.
If Kolbe was six inches taller, would that be looked at more seriously?
— Joe Harvey (@joeharvey34) July 31, 2021
04:22 PM14 mins - South Africa 3-3 British and Irish Lions
14 mins - South Africa 3-3 British and Irish Lions
Lineout won by Itoje, Lions maul and it's sacked, penalty coming and now the Lions have it, kicked to touch outside the SA 22.
Du Toit looked a little score after that penalty, wonder how hurt he is. Lawes wins the lineout, Conan on the run. Biggar chipping wide to Itoje (!) who passes back infield.
Boks are offside, penalty coming. Biggar to have another shot.
Kolbe down with a bloody nose, think that happened making a tackle on Curry with the Sale flanker's hand-off. Sorry, looked like head on head actually. Officials checking this. O'Keeffe says it's fine but wonder if Kolbe's lucky there. No HIA either.
04:18 PM12 mins - South Africa 3-3 British and Irish Lions
12 mins - South Africa 3-3 British and Irish Lions
Good restart work from the Boks to win the ball back and now they're on the attack, Kolbe with a dart out wide into the Lions 22.
Up to 10 phases, can the Boks strike. It's a bit loose, rush defence coming up hard by the Lions. Am grubbers, fielded by Biggar and the Lions get a needed penalty for not releasing (the player, a rare one) against Mapimpi.
Got to stress, the physicality is unreal.
Strong opening 10 minutes from Ben O'Keeffe.
— Murray Kinsella (@Murray_Kinsella) July 31, 2021
04:17 PMPENALTY BIGGAR! South Africa 3-3 British and Irish Lions
PENALTY BIGGAR! South Africa 3-3 British and Irish Lions
Quickly taken and he's not missing that one. We're level again.
04:16 PM8 mins - South Africa 3-0 British and Irish Lions
8 mins - South Africa 3-0 British and Irish Lions
First scrum reset, good push from the Boks as Van der Merwe crashes up. Jones now, five metres short and penalty coming. Mbonambi gets over the ball so back for the penalty, no-arms tackle by Wiese. Biggar having a shot from right in front.
Strong start from Chris Harris on the ground and in the air.
— Charlie Morgan (@CharlieFelix) July 31, 2021
04:13 PM7 mins - South Africa 3-0 British and Irish Lions
7 mins - South Africa 3-0 British and Irish Lions
Taken by Lawes at the front, he loses the ball backwards and Itoje runs clears. Lions into SA's 22. Biggar with a bom, testing Le Roux and he knocks on! Scrum to the Lions five metres out. Interesting tactic there.
04:13 PM6 mins - South Africa 3-0 British and Irish Lions
6 mins - South Africa 3-0 British and Irish Lions
Biggar tries a chip into midfield, well fielded by De Klerk. Then Biggar makes a nice catch in reply, and he was played in the air, just, by Mapimpi.
From the penalty, Biggar finds touch deep in SA's half.
04:11 PMPENALTY POLLARD! South Africa 3-0 British and Irish Lions
PENALTY POLLARD! South Africa 3-0 British and Irish Lions
Just like last week, the Boks strike first. Easy strike from the No 10.
04:09 PM4 mins - South Africa 0-0 British and Irish Lions
4 mins - South Africa 0-0 British and Irish Lions
O'Keeffe has a long chat with Kolisi and AWJ about the afters, not happy. First scrum solid, but the Lions engage early, free-kick. Big hit from Harris on Am, Boks wide right to Kolbe.
Lions are offside, penalty coming. Can they find more out wide? Kolbe hauled down five metres short but we come back from the penalty. Nice start from the Boks this, Pollard having a shot.
Du Toit down in backplay but he's up now and playing on.
04:05 PM3 mins - South Africa 0-0 British and Irish Lions
3 mins - South Africa 0-0 British and Irish Lions
Brief stoppage for some treatment, gives the Boks some time to plan the lineout. Now we're set. Mbonambi hits Etzebeth at the front, Boks work the maul. Stopped once, Mbonambi running hard. Ball not coming out so it's a Boks scrum, flaring up already between Jones and Etzebeth. Scrum coming up.
04:03 PM2 mins - South Africa 0-0 British and Irish Lions
2 mins - South Africa 0-0 British and Irish Lions
Boks on halfway, and they get a penalty, Vunipola not rolling away. They'll be hot on that today the officials. Pollard finds touch about 10 metres from the Lions line.
04:02 PMKICKOFF!
KICKOFF!
Pollard to kick off, from right to left, dinked high and it's slapped back by the Lions and won by Curry. Murray sets, then box kicks. High, infield, won back by Watson but Itoje knocks on. We play on.
04:01 PMSpringbok anthem
Springbok anthem
What a day for Wiese, almost forgot about him in the all the build-up. Just a second Test cap for the Leicester No 8 and his first start.
Sound on the anthem cuts out a bit on the TV broadcast, pity - not that it affected Kolisi, belting it out.
It's time.
03:57 PMOut come the teams
Out come the teams
Alun Wyn Jones, cuddly lion held in his left hand, leads out the tourists for his 11th Lions Test cap.
Flames going as Steven Kitshoff leads out the Springboks on his 50th Test cap. An outstanding prop. Siya Kolisi and the rest of the Springboks follow.
03:54 PMBeautiful evening in Cape Town
Beautiful evening in Cape Town
(When isn't it?)
Final few minutes before kick-off. Can the Springboks close the gap fitness wise from last week? If they can, then we might just have a level series going into next weekend.
03:45 PMAreas of the pitch looking a little tired, but what a venue
Been a lot of rain again this week. Clear conditions today, but much of the focus on the pitch after the problems in first Test.
These pics below taken after a few live scrums in the warm-up.... pic.twitter.com/xccyiIt05j
— Jon Cardinelli (@jon_cardinelli) July 31, 2021
Nearly time…vastly different atmosphere to 12 years ago but stakes as high. #RSAvBIL #LionsRugby #LionsTour2021 pic.twitter.com/rin2vrEVVe
— Craig Ray (@craigray11) July 31, 2021
03:44 PMHow the Lions win the second Test
Areas of the pitch looking a little tired, but what a venue
Been a lot of rain again this week. Clear conditions today, but much of the focus on the pitch after the problems in first Test.
— Jon Cardinelli (@jon_cardinelli) July 31, 2021
These pics below taken after a few live scrums in the warm-up.... pic.twitter.com/xccyiIt05j
Nearly time…vastly different atmosphere to 12 years ago but stakes as high. #RSAvBIL #LionsRugby #LionsTour2021 pic.twitter.com/rin2vrEVVe
— Craig Ray (@craigray11) July 31, 2021
03:44 PMHow the Lions win the second Test
How the Lions win the second Test
Will Greenwood has broken down the key areas for the Lions to address: breakdown fury, squeaky-clean discipline and launch plays.
It was clear that the Lions wanted to keep the ball on the field, keep the ball in play, trust their fitness, and with increased game time back themselves to come good before the final whistle. It worked a treat. But it was dangerous early on.
03:42 PMOn Supersport in South Africa
On Supersport in South Africa
Schalk Burger, the former Springbok, has said that Kolisi was "schooled" by Alun Wyn Jones last week with his relationship with the referee. Which is accurate.
03:37 PMBoth captains at the coin toss
Looking forward to Jaco Johan’s analysis of why the Boks lost the coin toss. pic.twitter.com/e2dvll4HcB
— Cian Tracey (@CianTracey1) July 31, 2021
03:34 PMGatland speaking to Sky
When you think about in terms of importance, if we can win the series it would be incredibly special. The players appreciate that. I'll probably think about it more afterwards if it hopefully happens.
To put the record straight, post-match I didn't make one comment about the TMO. We questioned World Rugby in terms of the process and not having a back-up plan with a replacement TMO. It wasn't a question of integrity. I've been accused of making comments last week where I never said anything about the TMO.
I think it's interesting. We were happy with the referees last week, spoke to them on Thursday as we normally do and were happy with the performances. If you look at the end-on view with Faf de Klerk's try, you can see the ball touches Pieter-Steph du Toit's hand.
It's been an interesting week off the field but we've just focused on ourselves.
It makes [the Springboks] desperate, the last thing they want to be is 2-0 down. We're expecting a backlash. We feel the conditioning and fitness is pretty good. We've worked hard at the beginning at this tour and if it does open up we feel we have the firepower.
03:22 PMGetting closer
We are in the building 💪#LionsRugby #CastleLionsSeries #BoksvLions pic.twitter.com/SbjK2jZOXT
— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) July 31, 2021
03:21 PMNienaber speaking to Sky
It's do or die for us and for them, they can clinch the series. Since the World Cup final it will be our biggest game.
I must say, that's Rassie. He felt he needed to get a message across. He discussed it with us and we agreed. Otherwise it was business as usual, we focused on the main thing which is preparing the team for this massive occasion.
I don't think it had anything to do with the Test, it was more how we were perceived, how we get access [to World Rugby], the whole process. The communication process with the officials like in the Six Nations, we weren't 100 per cent sure [how that worked]. There's now definitely clarity.
We have a specific plan and things we want to achieve as a team. How we react will be key today. As a team we need to stick to our processes and find solutions. It looks us a while to do that in the second half last week.
03:16 PMWhat the Springboks need to fix
Both captains at the coin toss
Looking forward to Jaco Johan’s analysis of why the Boks lost the coin toss. pic.twitter.com/e2dvll4HcB
— Cian Tracey (@CianTracey1) July 31, 2021
03:34 PMGatland speaking to Sky
When you think about in terms of importance, if we can win the series it would be incredibly special. The players appreciate that. I'll probably think about it more afterwards if it hopefully happens.
To put the record straight, post-match I didn't make one comment about the TMO. We questioned World Rugby in terms of the process and not having a back-up plan with a replacement TMO. It wasn't a question of integrity. I've been accused of making comments last week where I never said anything about the TMO.
I think it's interesting. We were happy with the referees last week, spoke to them on Thursday as we normally do and were happy with the performances. If you look at the end-on view with Faf de Klerk's try, you can see the ball touches Pieter-Steph du Toit's hand.
It's been an interesting week off the field but we've just focused on ourselves.
It makes [the Springboks] desperate, the last thing they want to be is 2-0 down. We're expecting a backlash. We feel the conditioning and fitness is pretty good. We've worked hard at the beginning at this tour and if it does open up we feel we have the firepower.
03:22 PMGetting closer
We are in the building 💪#LionsRugby #CastleLionsSeries #BoksvLions pic.twitter.com/SbjK2jZOXT
— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) July 31, 2021
03:21 PMNienaber speaking to Sky
It's do or die for us and for them, they can clinch the series. Since the World Cup final it will be our biggest game.
I must say, that's Rassie. He felt he needed to get a message across. He discussed it with us and we agreed. Otherwise it was business as usual, we focused on the main thing which is preparing the team for this massive occasion.
I don't think it had anything to do with the Test, it was more how we were perceived, how we get access [to World Rugby], the whole process. The communication process with the officials like in the Six Nations, we weren't 100 per cent sure [how that worked]. There's now definitely clarity.
We have a specific plan and things we want to achieve as a team. How we react will be key today. As a team we need to stick to our processes and find solutions. It looks us a while to do that in the second half last week.
03:16 PMWhat the Springboks need to fix
Gatland speaking to Sky
When you think about in terms of importance, if we can win the series it would be incredibly special. The players appreciate that. I'll probably think about it more afterwards if it hopefully happens.
To put the record straight, post-match I didn't make one comment about the TMO. We questioned World Rugby in terms of the process and not having a back-up plan with a replacement TMO. It wasn't a question of integrity. I've been accused of making comments last week where I never said anything about the TMO.
I think it's interesting. We were happy with the referees last week, spoke to them on Thursday as we normally do and were happy with the performances. If you look at the end-on view with Faf de Klerk's try, you can see the ball touches Pieter-Steph du Toit's hand.
It's been an interesting week off the field but we've just focused on ourselves.
It makes [the Springboks] desperate, the last thing they want to be is 2-0 down. We're expecting a backlash. We feel the conditioning and fitness is pretty good. We've worked hard at the beginning at this tour and if it does open up we feel we have the firepower.
03:22 PMGetting closer
We are in the building 💪#LionsRugby #CastleLionsSeries #BoksvLions pic.twitter.com/SbjK2jZOXT
— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) July 31, 2021
03:21 PMNienaber speaking to Sky
It's do or die for us and for them, they can clinch the series. Since the World Cup final it will be our biggest game.
I must say, that's Rassie. He felt he needed to get a message across. He discussed it with us and we agreed. Otherwise it was business as usual, we focused on the main thing which is preparing the team for this massive occasion.
I don't think it had anything to do with the Test, it was more how we were perceived, how we get access [to World Rugby], the whole process. The communication process with the officials like in the Six Nations, we weren't 100 per cent sure [how that worked]. There's now definitely clarity.
We have a specific plan and things we want to achieve as a team. How we react will be key today. As a team we need to stick to our processes and find solutions. It looks us a while to do that in the second half last week.
03:16 PMWhat the Springboks need to fix
Getting closer
We are in the building 💪#LionsRugby #CastleLionsSeries #BoksvLions pic.twitter.com/SbjK2jZOXT
— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) July 31, 2021
03:21 PMNienaber speaking to Sky
It's do or die for us and for them, they can clinch the series. Since the World Cup final it will be our biggest game.
I must say, that's Rassie. He felt he needed to get a message across. He discussed it with us and we agreed. Otherwise it was business as usual, we focused on the main thing which is preparing the team for this massive occasion.
I don't think it had anything to do with the Test, it was more how we were perceived, how we get access [to World Rugby], the whole process. The communication process with the officials like in the Six Nations, we weren't 100 per cent sure [how that worked]. There's now definitely clarity.
We have a specific plan and things we want to achieve as a team. How we react will be key today. As a team we need to stick to our processes and find solutions. It looks us a while to do that in the second half last week.
03:16 PMWhat the Springboks need to fix
Nienaber speaking to Sky
It's do or die for us and for them, they can clinch the series. Since the World Cup final it will be our biggest game.
I must say, that's Rassie. He felt he needed to get a message across. He discussed it with us and we agreed. Otherwise it was business as usual, we focused on the main thing which is preparing the team for this massive occasion.
I don't think it had anything to do with the Test, it was more how we were perceived, how we get access [to World Rugby], the whole process. The communication process with the officials like in the Six Nations, we weren't 100 per cent sure [how that worked]. There's now definitely clarity.
We have a specific plan and things we want to achieve as a team. How we react will be key today. As a team we need to stick to our processes and find solutions. It looks us a while to do that in the second half last week.
03:16 PMWhat the Springboks need to fix
What the Springboks need to fix
Myself and Charlie Morgan had a look earlier this week.
The era of Erasmus and Nienaber has been characterised by kicking, set-piece power and aggressive defence. Importantly, though, South Africa’s best performances have also featured moments of slick attacking invention.
03:10 PM1997 remembered
1997 remembered
Had tremendous fun putting this together. Sir Ian McGeechan, Alan Tait, Rob Wainwright and Matt Dawson spoke to me about that famous tour in 1997.
I’ve been on a lot of tours, but certainly that was my best ever. Everyone gelled. Friends for life, really. There’s some guys I won’t have seen since, but I know if I bump into them, everybody is still really friendly and we get on well together. The friendships, the memories, are probably the highlights of my life.
03:06 PM🤔🤔🤔
On the stroke of half-time last week, Siya Kolisi highlighted Rory Sutherland's elbow hitting the ground at a scrum. After a re-set, the same thing happened and South Africa won a penalty. Detailed in this piece: https://t.co/IBp42TJ4le I'd say Nic Berry listened to him. pic.twitter.com/zuRQhc8j2W
— Charlie Morgan (@CharlieFelix) July 31, 2021
03:05 PMUNDER AN HOUR TO GO
🤔🤔🤔
On the stroke of half-time last week, Siya Kolisi highlighted Rory Sutherland's elbow hitting the ground at a scrum. After a re-set, the same thing happened and South Africa won a penalty. Detailed in this piece: https://t.co/IBp42TJ4le I'd say Nic Berry listened to him. pic.twitter.com/zuRQhc8j2W
— Charlie Morgan (@CharlieFelix) July 31, 2021
03:05 PMUNDER AN HOUR TO GO
UNDER AN HOUR TO GO
Sorry, was quickly having a pre-match meal (hard graft this blogging).
In case you might have forgotten who this chap below is, that's South Africa head coach Jacques Nienaber.
02:59 PMUnder pressure
2 - South Africa will be aiming to avoid back-to-back Test defeats for the first time since October-November 2018 (v NZ and Eng), while they’ve not suffered consecutive defeats on home soil since losing three in a row between July 2015 and June 2016 (v NZ, Arg, Ire). Wounded.
— OptaJonny (@OptaJonny) July 31, 2021
02:55 PMThe latest from inside the camp
Under pressure
2 - South Africa will be aiming to avoid back-to-back Test defeats for the first time since October-November 2018 (v NZ and Eng), while they’ve not suffered consecutive defeats on home soil since losing three in a row between July 2015 and June 2016 (v NZ, Arg, Ire). Wounded.
— OptaJonny (@OptaJonny) July 31, 2021
02:55 PMThe latest from inside the camp
The latest from inside the camp
Great videos these. Good recap of the first Test.
02:44 PMNice wheels for the waterboy
Here’s Rassie. . . #LionsRugby pic.twitter.com/85qr2E7z5f
— Jonny Fordham 🏉📰 (@SunJonnyFordham) July 31, 2021
02:34 PMGatland's calming hand on the shoulder
Nice wheels for the waterboy
Here’s Rassie. . . #LionsRugby pic.twitter.com/85qr2E7z5f
— Jonny Fordham 🏉📰 (@SunJonnyFordham) July 31, 2021
02:34 PMGatland's calming hand on the shoulder
Gatland's calming hand on the shoulder
Interesting piece here from Gavin Mairs on the personal touches Warren Gatland has tried to add to this tour for the Lions players away from home, including a box of photographs of their families after the SA 'A' game. As Stuart Hogg noted:
He’s massive on families and that’s something that means a hell of a lot to me.
02:28 PMView from inside the camp
View from inside the camp
Here's Courtney Lawes' latest column for Telegraph Sport. He was excellent in the second half last week.
We know what this game means to everyone, but our best chance of success is not to over-react to the pressure of the occasion.
And evening kick-off gives me the chance to chill during the day. I normally do not sleep in the daytime but on Saturday I will have a sleep for an hour or two to make sure I am fresh and alert for the game.
02:24 PMSam Warburton's take
The Lions players will be laughing about it. They won't have one care in the world.
Sam Warburton's take
The Lions players will be laughing about it. They won't have one care in the world.
Sort of felt this way about it all week. Even Alun Wyn Jones might have cracked a smile.
02:22 PMNigel Owens on Sky about the Erasmus video
We're seeing it now being done for everyone to see. There's an issue behind the scenes that needs to be addressed. This is not the way to do it.
This wouldn't have affected my performance on the field [as a referee]. There needs to be clarity, and it was interesting the way they were looking at it, but there needs to be a better way of doing it through the correct channels.
02:16 PMStill reeling from that
Nigel Owens on Sky about the Erasmus video
We're seeing it now being done for everyone to see. There's an issue behind the scenes that needs to be addressed. This is not the way to do it.
This wouldn't have affected my performance on the field [as a referee]. There needs to be clarity, and it was interesting the way they were looking at it, but there needs to be a better way of doing it through the correct channels.
02:16 PMStill reeling from that
Still reeling from that
Parking any cynicism the door for a second, that's an astonishing claim from Kolisi that he feels he's never listened to by referees. A Rugby World Cup-winning captain.
Why has this not been raised sooner?
02:05 PMMore from Kolisi
More from Kolisi
Some pretty extraordinary quotes (are you as bored of not talking about the game as I am?) released today by Sky Sports from an interview with the Springbok captain talking about his struggles to communicate with the referee.
It makes you doubt yourself as a human being.
Crikey.
'That's how I feel every single time. Sometimes I feel me having manners is a problem: maybe I should just go crazy'
An emotional Siya Kolisi spoke to @Elmakapelma about his experience with match officials ahead of today's @lionsofficial Test
Full IV 👉 https://t.co/aAqS2nUNPe pic.twitter.com/P7MzQUtBmZ— Sky Sports Rugby Union (@SkySportsRugby) July 31, 2021
02:00 PMAt last, time for the rugby
At last, time for the rugby
Just your regular week build-up to a Test match, with a one member of a coaching staff releasing an hour-long video highlighting many, many, many grievances against their side. Fans on both sides have torn into Rassie Erasmus or lauded him as the saviour of the modern lawbook. It's been messy. All a bit unsavoury. I've never wanted a Test match to arrive quick enough.
Erasmus had some salient points in his video regarding decisions against his side but, as he pointed out himself, put together a biased video highlighting where the Lions were wronged in the first Test and you're bound to find some dirt. But, knowing how smart Erasmus is in these weeks, it's all felt like a bit of a show, put on to take attention off a Springboks side who dramatically lost a lot of steam in the second half in the first Test and lost that second half 19-5 in a poor performance.
Will the ploy have worked? Guess we'll find out surely, but for a South African public who crave collective outrage in the face of perceived sporting injustice, the clips in particular of Siya Kolisi being supposedly disrespected by Nic Berry have been lapped up by the home supporters. Some of it's bordered on hysterical, almost forgetting that Alun Wyn Jones leaves most Test captains panicking to try and get their point across to a referee (I'm thinking of Owen Farrell) when they feel they've lost their ear.
Warren Gatland has surely loved all this. We've barely talked about his selection, where the Lions need to improve, the pressure that comes with going for a first Test series win in South Africa since 1997. They've coasted under the radar and for Gatland, that's absolutely idea.
Anyway, that's enough time on all the b------- spouted in the week. Let's focus on the Test, with the Lions now 80 minutes from making history in South Africa.
There are three changes from last week: Chris Harris in for Robbie Henshaw, Conor Murray for Ali Price, and Mako Vunipola for Rory Sutherland. Taulupe Faletau comes onto the Lions bench, replacing Hamish Watson, while Elliot Daly is in the No 23 jersey ahead of Liam Williams to cover the backline.
As for the Springboks, the backline's unchanged but Jasper Wiese comes in at No 8 for Kwagga Smith, while there are new props in Steven Kitshoff and Frans Malherbe.
Trevor Nyakane, the starting tighthead last week, will cover loosehead off the bench, as the Boks go back to a 6-2 split, adding Marco van Staden as an extra back-row forward with Elton Jantjies dropping out of the matchday 23.
South Africa: W Le Roux; C Kolbe, L Am, D De Allende, M Mapimpi; H Pollard, F De Klerk; S Kitshoff, B Mbonambi, F Malherbe, E Etzebeth, F Mostert, S Kolisi (capt), PS Du Toit, J Wiese.
Replacements: M Marx, T Nyakane, L De Jager, M van Staden, K Smith, H Jantjies, D Willemse.
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand)
Assistant Referees: Nic Berry (Australia), Mathieu Raynal (France)
TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)
