South Africa versus Lions

TheTamshee says: the British & Irish Lions, bared their teeth in the final Test at Coca-Cola Park, Johannesburg. Pride had to be restored after the agonizing defeat in the first test and the disappointment of having a drawn match snatched from there grasp in the second. The collective "Red" unit delivered a great team performance to vanquish the Bok's on their home ground. It can be noted that the springbok have not been defeated at the rugby stadium formerly known as Ellis Park, since 1997

Shane Williams played a key role in defence while taking his two try scoring chances with ease.

but the 9 -28 win was not certain until Ugo Monye intercepted to put the Lions out of reach in the second half.

Man of the match for me was the Welsh scrum-half Mike Philips, this delivery and muscularity meant the lions were able to penetrate the bok's defensive line and build the platform for running rugby. The only negative for me was the current world champions displaying a rather childish and ill advised arm band gesture. "Justice" was indeed sweet for the Lions, they out scored the Bok's 73-64 over the three test series on home soil with only two defeats over the tour. Unfortunately the two games lost were the one's that mattered.

Click title link for comprehensive match report, curtosity of the Telegraph.

South Africa versus Lions

TheTamshee says: the Lions came out roaring, the first half display showed real committment and passion with Rob Kearney at the heart of the attack. At half time the game was nicely posed with the Bok's liking their wounds, but under estimate this great rugby nation at your peril. The tide turned in the second half when forced substitutions on both sides change the run of play. The flying Bryan Habana burst through like a steam train to breech the lions defence and cross the line to score a decisive try.
This was the turning point for the springbok's who had the experience to close out this ferocious game with a jaw dropping goal kick from the Bulls flyhalf hero Morne Steyn. The lions can take heart in the fact that they gave it their all, but on the day it was one penalty too many. So the test series was sealed for the Springboks with their 28-25 victory after they had won the first of the three tests in Durban last weekend.

South Africa versus Lions

Opening score: South Africa made the ideal start with a try from John Smit Picture: GETTY IMAGES
TheTamshee says: the British and Irish lions were given a lesson in how international rugby should be played. The marauding SA pack demonstrated awesome strength to snub out the Lions game strategy. Some pride was restored late in the game when the Lions rallied,

"another one that got away: Ugo Monye was tackled within touching distance of the try line late in the second half as the Lions built momentum and threatened a glorious comeback" albeit after the South Africans had substituted a number of key players. 26-21 does not reflect the SA dominance, hopefully the Lions coaches can get the scrummaging concerns ironed out before the second test next Saturday at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria, the nation's capital.