The British and Irish Lions collide with South Africa in Saturday’s second Test at Cape Town Stadium. Here the PA news agency examines five talking points heading into a match that could decide the outcome of the tour.
Glory beckons
TOMORROW – We go again ?#LionsRugby #CastleLionsSeries #BoksvLions pic.twitter.com/wuGBbOVkO4
— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) July 30, 2021
The Lions stand 80 minutes away from taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series and momentum is fully behind them after finishing a tense first Test strongly. Only twice since 1896 have the Lions prevailed in South Africa and Alun Wyn Jones’ men are on the brink of taking their place alongside Willie John McBride’s fabled 1974 tourists and Martin Johnson’s vintage of 1997. Success would also elevate head coach Warren Gatland alongside Sir Ian McGeechan as one of great figures in Lions history.
Masterstroke or madness
Courting O’Keefe
Meanwhile, the Lions have launched a full-scale charm offensive designed to counter Erasmus’ staggering attack on officialdom. Scotland full-back Stuart Hogg has described O’Keeffe as one of the game’s finest referees and forwards coach Robin McBryde has called the Kiwi a “top man”. It continues the mind games that began in the aftermath of the South Africa ‘A’ game on July 14 but which only went nuclear with Erasmus’ video. Gatland and the Lions appear to be schooling the world champions on the psychological front and the second Test is sure to provide a new twist.
Bok-lash
?? Three changes to Bok pack for second #CastleLionsSeries Test✅ 50th cap for Kitshoff, who starts with Wiese and Malherbe?️ “We need to be better in every area of the game this week”? Team announcement: https://t.co/iAuazU0gnh#StrongerTogether #StrongerForever pic.twitter.com/KmyAmCfaKk
— Springboks (@Springboks) July 27, 2021
Seeing the rate at which the Springboks fell away in the second half, it is hard not to conclude that they were substantially affected by the outbreak of coronavirus that forced the entire squad to self-isolate for six days and saw 14 players test positive. With a full-blooded Test match in the legs, as well as another week’s training in the bank, they will be hoping they can sustain the level of performance that propelled them into a 12-3 half-time lead in the first Test.
