The last few weeks have shown the farcical element of the British and Irish Lions touring covid hotspot South Africa.
I, like many people, see no point in robbing fans the opportunity to see it live. The desperate South African economy that could do with the bolstering tourism investment a Lions tour brings.
But just as I was losing interest in this tour, it has spiced up with the SA ‘A’ fixture being dubbed an unofficial first Test.
Jaques Nienaber desperately tried to get the Springboks ready for the series, having seen their second Test against Georgia cancelled and a bulk of their squad testing positive.
Even more intriguing is the uncertainty around the Stormers-Lions fixture scheduled for Saturday. Rassie Erasmus wants the ‘A’ side to play the Lions again and has described it as the safest option given the fragile bio-secure bubbles.
The South Africa ‘A’ squad was initially meant to be made up of fringe players selected in Nienaber’s original 46-man squad. The disruptions mean that this over-strength A team will have a first hand chance to really have a go and lay down a physical marker against the Lions.
Across the battlefield there are mouth-watering battles with a lot of history. This will be Maro Itoje’s first taste of South African aggression since the World Cup final.
Can he beat Eben Etzebeth in the enforcer role? Josh Navidi, chief Springbok pain maker is there, with Tom Curry in a scintillating 6-7 duo.
These lighter, albeit top-class flankers will be up against a fitter, sharper Pieter Steph Du Toit. Louis Rees- Zammit will finally be tested by a bombing from Steyn and Faf De Klerk while Aki’s physical showing is a vital chance for him to show he fits in Warrenball tactics of playing the crash ball 12 against the best defensive centre partnership in the world.
I worry for Mako Vunipola if he comes on since his scrummaging has looked very average against average South Africans, now he faces the best and most ruthless scrumming props in the world.
A few days ago I thought and hoped this Lions tour would get called off. Now, there is added spice and all to play for in this unofficial, grudge match to lay down a marker for the series ahead.
SA ‘A’: Kitshoff, Dweba, Nyakane, Etzebeth, Mostert, Van Staden, Du Toit, Wiese; De Klerk, M Steyn, Nkosi, De Allende, Am (c), Kolbe, Le Roux
Replacements: Marx, Oosthuzien, Koch, Janse Van Renseburg, Elstadt, H Jantjies, Kriel, Willemse, Smith, E JantjiesBritish and Irish Lions: Jones, Owens, Sinckler, Itoje, Henderson, Navidi, Curry, Faletau; Murray (c), Biggar, Adams, Aki, Harris, Rees-Zammit, Watson
Replacements: Cowan-Dickie, Vunipola, Fagerson, Beard, Beirne, Simmonds, Davies, Daly
FunBus
Roar Rookie
Marler and Nel are better scrummaging props than the Lions have out there. Ryan and Gray would be an excellent locking combination.
Mielie
Roar Rookie
wre01 I don't think that the Lion's Tour is becoming a a bit of a farce. Considering all the obstacles occurring in the world today with regards to political unrest, virus, lock downs, travel restrictions , quarantine and even with all this , two magnificent international Rugby teams still manage to play a test series of magnificent Rugby for its supports is not a farce at all, and the winner of these tests is Rugby. I am most grateful.
Mielie
Roar Rookie
Excuse?
Guest pi$$ off. You call my team a whiney little team then say who am I to criticize anyone? Pee off whiney little guest. What an W anker
Andrew
Guest
No i know very well what is going on in Argentina and they were very brave but that doesn't mean every team is expected to do what they did. The point is that your whiney little team went through nothing so how are you in a position to criticize anyone? Yes new zealand "turned up" because they had to go through nothing to do so.
How far did Argentina have to travel? You are clueless about what's been going on in Argentina and what the players have to deal with. Argentina managed it. SA sooked off and still took 4 mil from the tournament.....
Andrew
Guest
The tight five would get smashed but is otherwise a very strong team.
Andrew
Guest
How far did new zealand have to travel? You clueless about what's been going in in South Africa and what the players have had to deal with.
Neil Back
Roar Rookie
I'm not so sure the clubs value the boast that highly Harry, particularly as there is quite a history of players returning from tour and suffering a season of constant injuries, often put down to the fact that they never get a proper off season to recover from their already brutal schedules. But the Lions is a unique side to play for and against, which in itself is worth preserving. Add the folklore, the history, the 'proper' tour, the respect of your peers and the shirt rarity that comes with a four year cycle, it's not hard to understand the passion of some like Sinkler, not least because he's already had a taste.
The Ferret
Roar Rookie
Players have take. A couple of week suspensions for similar hits… will we see Faf coping 2 or 3 weeks for this?
Or just his legs!!!
They still turned up. Something the Boks didnt do. Won the tournament...Something the Boks didnt do!!!
Harry Jones
Expert
Good “win” (17-13 for SAA), but both sets of coaches were far more interested in evaluating the tight personnel calls, and seeing where the holes are. Rassie + Jacques probably happier than Gats + Gregor simply because the battle of the trenches belonged to SAA, and it looked like the Lions had a hard time living with the physical side of things, when it was 15 v 15.
Harry Jones
Expert
Lions have all the momentum, now.
Harry Jones
Expert
Willie le Roux getting treatment …
Harry Jones
Expert
This may be a costly day in the Lions back three stocks. Liam and Watson dinged up.
Harry Jones
Expert
Willemse on now. Can he wrest the 23 jersey from Frans Steyn?
Harry Jones
Expert
Lions won the 15 v 13 contest 10-0. The next thirty minutes will be interesting. Neither coach wants to reveal too much. 17-13 SA.
Harry Jones
Expert
Niggle.
Harry Jones
Expert
Perfect start to the 2H by the Lions. Admittedly against 13 opponents, but they had to score from that position. 17-10 SAA after 46 minutes. Kolbe at 9. Wyn Jones may have done a shoulder or chest. The Lions are using intricate backline moves.