5 talking points ahead of the series decider between Lions and South Africa

The British and Irish Lions clash with South Africa in a series decider at Cape Town Stadium where a tour that has simmered with bad blood will reach it conclusion.

Here the PA news agency examines five talking points heading to the final Test.

Rescue mission

One of the most toxic Lions tours in history reaches its climax on Saturday, but there is still time for the rivals to rescue it from infamy by delivering a captivating finish to dispel some of the apathy generated by a dull second Test. Warren Gatland and Rassie Erasmus have locked horns verbally and the spectacle on the pitch has been no less ugly. Erasmus, South Africa’s director of rugby, has emerged as the real villain of the series, however, and his online attacks on the refereeing will leave a bad taste that will linger for some time to come regardless of the outcome.

Boring Boks

Even purists were reaching for the off button on their remotes in response to the endless kicking and trench warfare blighting the second instalment of the series. The Lions have contributed to the deficit of entertainment, but South Africa are the chief culprits with a suffocating style that sucks all joy from the game. Their former boss Peter de Villiers recently described it as “very, very boring” and Gatland has implored Saturday’s officials to stop the Springboks using the likes of injuries, cramp and stud changes to slow down the game, robbing the Lions of the chance to play with tempo and benefit from their superior conditioning.

A roll of the dice

The majority of Gatland’s changes reinforce the existing game plan of setting out to match South Africa physically, but with the hope they will have greater success after being dismantled in the second-half of the last Test. Wyn Jones and Ken Owens will provide more ballast in the scrum while another Welsh duo in Liam Williams and Josh Adams will add aerial prowess to the back three, and in midfield Bundee Aki will supply muscle both sides of the ball. But it is selection of Ali Price at scrum-half and Finn Russell and Sam Simmonds on the bench that points to the Lions’ hope that there will be opportunities to play. Scotland magician Russell, in particular, will shoulder the responsibility of providing the magic needed to unlock the game’s most ferocious defence.

South Africa’s double blow

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