South Africa withstood a late surge by the British and Irish Lions on Saturday to win their rugby Test 26-21 at Durban.
Springbok flanker Heinrich Brussow scored on home debut and captain John Smit also collected a try at Kings Park. Flyhalf Ruan Pienaar kicked 13 points as the hosts punished poor discipline by the Lions forwards to lead 26-7.
“The scrums were disappointing because we had so many penalties, especially in good attacking situations,” Lions captain Paul O’Connell said. “That’s something we have to look at.”
Tom Croft’s second try and another by Lions teammate Mike Phillips cut the lead to five points with five minutes left. But the Boks, who last won a Lions series 29 years ago, held on ahead of Tests in Pretoria next Saturday and in Johannesburg on July 4.
“We have a lot more to do before the second Test,” Smit said. “We have to be a lot more clinical.”
The result also means that the Lions, who won all six of their warmup games against provincial sides, have now lost six Tests in a row since beating Australia in the first match of the 2001 series in Brisbane.
Lions flyhalf Stephen Jones had a chance to kick his team ahead in the second minute, but his 40m penalty from almost on the touchline sailed wide and it wasn’t long before the Springboks moved in front.
Despite leading the Springboks 51 times in 81 previous internationals, this was Smit’s first Test against the Lions and he celebrated with a try.
After the Lions’ Ugo Monye had stopped opposing winger J.P. Pietersen reaching Pienaar’s kick into the corner, Springboks scrumhalf Fourie du Preez offloaded to Smit, who charged through Jamie Roberts and Croft for a converted try in the fifth minute.
Pienaar and long-range kicking specialist Francois Steyn stretched the lead to 13-0 before the Lions struck back with a try in the 23rd minute.
Roberts burst through 30m from the line and passed to O’Driscoll whose weaving run set up Croft to go over. Jones converted as the Lions cut the lead to six points.
But the visitors were punished for their own indiscipline in the scrums – especially tighthead prop Phil Vickery – and Pienaar kicked two more easy penalties to give the Springboks a 19-7 lead at halftime.
The Springboks forwards continued to dominate and, after a series of drives that pushed them back 30m, the tourists took off Vickery and sent on Wales prop Adam Jones.
It made no immediate difference, however. After the Lions were again penalised, the Boks opted for a lineout to maintain the pressure and Brussow touched down after a forward surge. Pienaar’s conversion extended the lead to 26-7 in the 47th minute.
Having failed to make any impact in the forwards, the Lions opened the game up and Croft scored his second try in the 68th to make it 26-14 after Roberts had again cut through. The ball was recycled, Croft saw a rare gap to go over and Jones converted.
Phillips ended a long spell of Lions pressure close to the Springboks line to dummy a pass and then dart through a gap for a converted try with five minutes to go.
Roberts and replacement fullback Rob Kearney also went close to going over “When we played rugby, we were very good,” O’Connell said. “We opened them up and we have just got to keep doing that.”
Knives out
Guest
Yeah, I agree. I'd definitely expect Jamie Roberts to be better contained.
Rusty
Guest
Alot of them looked like this was their first hitup in awhile. So match fitness would really have come into play for the non Bulls and return from injury players. I expect the Boks to be better for the last match with minor changes to the lineup. I think there will be more parity in the forwards but I also expect the Boks backline to be better at containment and attack this time around.
Knives out
Guest
I agree about, Botha, Rusty. He has that attitude and work rate, but I don't buy that the team simply went to sleep, not with competitors like du Plessis, Matfield and Smith still in the pack. I would suggest, and this is just a theory, that PdV thought Rossouw would add more bulk and dynamism to the pack, especially in the mauling situations, and I can only assume that JdV was feeling the pace of the game given that he hasn't played in so long. I wonder who will improve most on Saturday? SA or the Lions? If changes are made then this will be the 9th different team in as many games, but at least, I suppose, there will be continuity in the back row and the back line. I also wonder how match fit some of the SA players, especially with some of the squad still not having completed a full 80 minutes.
Rusty
Guest
KO Ok maybe it wasnt all about the subs but that must be one of the first times as a Bok supporter where I have actually been angry after winning. When they took Brussow off I thought - wtf thats a bit early to be swapping personnel when I personally think a fetcher tends to grow into a game as the forwards protecting the ball get tired. Then when the other raft of subs went through I started to get furious. Especially when the JDV was replaced by Fourie who I have seen play 13/11/14/15 but never inside centre and Bakkies went off. As soon as Bakkies went of the Bok tight 5 started to shake considerably. Anyway, I watched the game again last night and a major momentum swing started as soon as the Lions front row went all Welsh and Bakkies was off. The coach then swapped his props to try gain parity. From then on it was front foot ball for the Lions with the Boks who did look like they were gassing not even competing at most the set pieces. Last couple of points really, the Philips try was created by Heaslip pushing Matfield off balance into the ruck, Philips then runs through the channel. Also, for those going on about Jones 2 missed kicks, lets not forget the Boks missed 2 themselves so if both teams had hit all their chances it wouldnt have made a jot of difference. To finish up, the Lions were blown off the park in the first 60 but once the set piece came good they dominated the Boks who were in my opinion lucky to have kept the win. I think both teams will be better for the experience and I expect the Lions to concede mobility by opting for more power in the tight 5 with a complete welsh front row, replacing Jones in the 2nd row with Shaw. I think the backrow will stay as is. Backline Kearnsey to start in Byrnes places, Fitzgerald for Monye and O'Gara for Jones. Emphasis will then move into a more territorial power game. For the Boks, hopefully they will have got rid of some of the rust, aside from 1 dropped ball Steyn did well at fullback but the Lions did kick too long as he was never under pressure. The wings to stay the same. Midfield to be shored up at 13 with Fourie in his natural position. AD to come on once the game opens up a bit. Pienaar outside of one or two moments looked very good and will surely keep the 10, M Steyn will get a run on at his home ground though. His percentage kicking at Loftus this year has been unbelievable. I have changed my mind on the pack and if Burger is available he should start, Brussow for all his rising greatness was not as involved as he should have been. Juan instead was the main defensive line and in tandem with Burger will be needed to contain the initial Lions onslaught and beleive me thats what we will get on Saturday. Brussow to come on later when the defending forwards tire to wreak havoc. To accomodate this, Bekker loses his spot to Brussow, Danie covers the 2nd row and as an extra loosie. I hope Vermaak does well in his game tonight and gets in ahead of Januarie. The rest remain. Now roll on Saturday and put me out of my misery..going to have find a bar in Kuta with more aggregate Bok supporters than Lions..probably not the romantic holiday my lady envisaged but thats the price you pay when you go out with a South African!!
Rusty
Guest
hahaha thats hilarious Greg - love it
Greg Smith
Guest
@OJ - well ... in South Africa, we don't want mere victory over the B&I Lions (boring) we want classics. This win in Durban - as it was, is one classic for me. My kids and grandkids will be saying- 'Remember the Lions 2009 tour & that Durban victory in the 1st Test ?' 'Remember how Beast buckled the English captain... what was his name ? - Phil something ...', 'Remember that sea of red coats in the crowd ?' 'But the Boks slaughtered them in 20 minutes eh ?' 'Jean de Villiers was a magician !' 'Brian O'Driscoll played too and someone almost took his head off, jeez - the Boks scrum was ploughing with the Lions - we shoved the Pom's noses into some humblepie !' Remember ? 'Revenge for 1997, the bastards !' 'Irelands 6 Nations champions and all.. and on a 6 game winning trot, well wrecked...' End of story. Classic ! (The comeback and Boks falling asleep and such and such... already forgotten !) Yawn ...
ABMAN
Guest
Is this a thread where Greg Smith and Knives Out come to manicure their ego's or am I missing something????????
ohtani's jacket,
Guest
Greg has got to be the greatest poster in the history of the Roar. I get it Greg. It's all part of the master plan. 2023.
matta
Guest
double his dose please Dr.
Greg Smith
Guest
@KO - I agree re subs. Furthermore, if the Boks had been content (at 20 points up) to abandon 'festival rugby' for old school stoic Test rugby before the halftime break the scoreline would have been more than a 20 point margin ! The Boks were up for a bit of an extravaganza ... a big lead... so throw it around ! That's entertainment. They're the World Champions and don't need to rub everyone's noses in the dirty to show they felt they'd overwhelmed the Lions. The stamped their authority and felt comfortable enough to play a bit of rugby with the visitors. To criticise them for it, is wrong ! It's also a fundamental difference between Springbok philosophy & AB philosophy. (Remember the 2008 Home Nations games... SA vs Scotland nailbiter etc ---> you don't think that happened by accident, do you ?)
Knives out
Guest
Rusty, I'm not being pedantic here but I don't think the subs were that much of an issue as much as fitness and attitude. Rossouw taking the place of Brossouw is hardly that big an issue because a) Brussouw hadn't done much at the breakdown, and b) Rossouw has played quite a few games at flank for the Boks. With him on, theoretically, the pack should have been even more powerful. I think the only subs that would have made a difference were Smit and Botha simply because of their attitude and work ethic.
Acer
Guest
Hahaha yes some do take it to the limits does make one wonder if some of the guys here actually have lives outside of the Roar. Going by the number and frequency of some of the posts I'd say no!
ABMAN
Guest
Hello people just been reading a few of the comments in here certainly some characters all right. South Sea Pomes that would have to be one of the most infantile comments ever made. Matta - I'd say Mr Smith is also the first to blame the Ref the touch lines being too wide, flight time, not long enough time together etc etc when his team loses. How long is your bow. The main thing I have noticed in here is the amount of guys who are so full of reasons on why others teams are rubbish and excuses for why their team has lost or under performed I guess I'm no different but it seems some of the lads in here have taken it to the extreme.
matta
Guest
Ever get the feeling Greg Smith is one of the Saffers you meet in a bar that makes no sense what so ever...and it get worse the more you talk to him? Back to the Rugby.. I am still in shock by the selection to the Lions Hooker and TH...amazing
JohnB
Guest
Jameswm - small point - it's not an automatic penalty if you run behind your own player. Someone has to be prevented from making a tackle on a ball-carrier or potential ball-carrier. That is why the offence is not "crossing" but "obstruction" (interestingly, the words "cross" and "crossing" don't appear in the obstruction law). On the other hand, Greg Smith seems not to have read what you said in branding you a pommie sympathiser!
stuff happens
Guest
I can't help but feel that the Lions made a monumental coaching blunder with Vickery.He looked passed it in the Autumn tests last year against the 'Boks and Wallabies; I was surprised he made the Lions squad but assumed he was doing the business in the scrum ( I don't pretend to be a front row expert). 1st test and he spends most of the 1st half dangling with his large Cornish feet in the air. Embarassing. Then A. Jones come on and problems seem to disappear. Beast mauls Lion indeed. Will they recover? I doubt it; they blew the biggest chance they had. In fact two chances.When a winger (Monye) gets two chances like that at this level he has to take at least one of them.
matta
Guest
greg - quiet time now mate or we will start talking about South Africas many links to the Nazi's..... yes, its true but also as ridiculous as your comments above.
Greg Smith
Guest
@Jameswn - '" but many neutrals have querried that decision.”...I am an Aussie and therefore a neutral." ????????? Take the Union Jack motif off your flag, stop standing to attention when 'God save the Queen' is sung, stop kissing England's arse and don't have a bank holiday for the Queen ... Then... maybe, we'll believe you ! Strewth... South Sea Pom's ... you and New Zealand !
Rusty
Guest
On the subject of the substitutions H Brüssow (Cheetahs; rep: D Rossouw, Bulls, 52), J Botha (Bulls; rep: A Bekker, Stormers, 57) J de Villiers (Stormers; rep: J Fourie, Golden Lions, 57) J Smit (Sharks; rep: G Steenkamp, Bulls, 65) T Mtawarira (Sharks; rep: D Carstens, Sharks, 65) R Pienaar (Sharks; rep: M Steyn, Bulls, 65) - Ok injury 68 min - Croft Scores F du Preez (Bulls; rep: E Januarie, Stormers, 69) A Jacobs (Sharks; rep: Pienaar, 74) - F Steyn moves to 12, Steyn to 15, Pienaar to 10 75 min - Philips scores So in summary, fetcher replaced by a ball carrying 2nd row/8, pack muscle/ruck clearer by lineout jumper and inside centre by and outside before 60min, both props including the captain and half back before 70. The Lions did on the day have a far superior backline but the coach ripped the engine out of the Boks dominant forwards providing the momentum. After that there was parity if not the upper hand with the Lions with their forwards giving them the platform for the backs.
Jameswm
Guest
Colin N You said - quoting me initially: "“how about the try to their half-back when one of their forwards, offside, deliberatley blocked Victor Matfield gridiron style?” What rubbish, he didn’t block him at all. He moved too wide and fell for it. Apparently, the Lee Byrne’s obstruction (that was given as a penalty to South Africa) was dubious. I personally thought it was a penalty, but many neutrals have querried that decision." I am an Aussie and therefore a neutral. The penalty for crossing when the Lions would probably have scored was 100% correct. There is no room for interpretation. BOD ran BEHIND a Lions player and the Lions player obstructed two defenders. You can pass behind your own player, but you can't run behind them. Secondly the Mike Phillips try. The Lions were near the SA line and Matfield was defending on the edge of the ruck. A Lions forward standing on the SA side of the ruck shouldered Matfield infield and the Lions half scores within a second, straight the the gap that Matfield was defending! Matfield quite rightly complained to the ref but to no effect. It sould have been a penalty if the Lions player had stood still and blocked Matfield, but he physically shouldered him out of the way, and it was real gridiron stuff. I do think overall the Boks got the better of the reffing but as a neutral, that try should NOT have been awarded. I also think that the Lions played with more skill and more attacking spirit. But they were just physically monstered and not only at the scrum. The SA method often peters off at the hour mark and the Lions certainly won't think they're out of the 2nd test. As an Aussie there hasn't been too much to get excited about so that was a good watch.