MONDAY, 8.00AM:
WITH injuries to several key players, a demoralised ‘Bok team face a British Lions team determined to win again in Durban on Saturday to clinch the test series. The Lions won 25-16 over the Springboks at Newlands on Saturday.
The Bok team will be under immense pressure to perform, with the prospect ahead of losing an unprecedented two consecutive home test series — they were drubbed by the All Blacks less than a year ago.
Both Japie Mulder (shoulder injury) and Edrich Lubbe (hamstring) have been ruled out of further tests, and flyhalf Henry Honiball and booker Naka Drotske suffered minor injuries as well, forcing coach Carel Du Plessis to pospone naming his team to this afternoon.
MONDAY, 11.00AM:
Springbok captain Gary Teichmann said his team is still “very positive” about the Test Series, despite the loss. “If we had lost very badly and not been in the game, then there may have been a lot of concern,” Teichmann said. He admitted: “What really bothered me was that we spent a lot of time in their half and were not getting the points. We had the opportuniies and did not take them.”
Lions coach Ian McGeechan said his team’s strength is in their defence. “One of the biggest lessons we have learnt was to improve our games when we haven’t got the ball,” he said.
Both sides have got injured players, and are working out the details of the squad for the next Test match in Durban this weekend.
BRITISH LIONS:
Tries by Matt Dawson, Alan Tait. Five penalties by Neil Jenkins.
SPRINGBOKS
: Tries by Os du Randt and Russell Bennett. Penalties by Henry Honiball and Edrich Lubbe.