South Africa v British & Irish Lions (2nd Test)

South Africa sealed the series at the weekend with a 28-25 victory over the British and Irish Lions, in a match that like last week, went down to the very last play of the game. On the pitch, heartbreak and desolation from the Lions mixed with elation from the Springbok camp as they finally avenged their series defeat from twelve years ago. The first Test the previous week proved to be only an appetizer for what transpired in Pretoria: physicality, skill, tension and controversy were brought up several notches in what surely ended up being one of the most remarkable Lions Test matches of the professional era. In the end however, the match was won with Bulls fly-half Morne Steyn landing a penalty as the clock ticked over the 80 minute mark to crush the hopes of the tourists and their army of travelling fans.

Steyn's kick ended a game of fantastic drama and fierce combat, in which the Lions had given up a 16-8 half-time lead thanks to a try from the hugely impressive Irish fullback, Rob Kearney. The Springboks scored tries of their own through JP Pietersen, Bryan Habana and Jaque Fourie, but were kept honest by a majestic performance with the boot from Welsh fly-half Stephen Jones.

Unfortunately for the tourists, they suffered a raft of injuries in the closing stages, with both props and centres all limping from the field. Adam Jones made a fine impact at the scrum after being called in in-place of Phil Vickery, while veteran lock Simon Shaw was a giant for the duration of the match.

In the end, the Springboks looked to have conceded the draw after Steyn saw a drop goal roll harmlessly in to the arms of Kearney, only for one last blow of the referee's whistle to hand the Bulls man his shot at a place in history. O'Gara, chasing his own kick, knocked du Preez out of the air and conceded a penalty 50 metres out. Steyn, with a swagger belying his inexperience, sent the kick straight and true to break the hearts of the Lions.

The Lions did all that was asked of them to take control of pulsating contest - displaying a hunger and a clinical edge that was sorely missing last weekend in Durban. But to their credit the Springboks weathered that storm and took the lead for the first time in the game with just a few minutes to go. The Lions climbed off the ropes in the closing moments to level the scores and it looked like they would at least keep the series alive heading to Johannesburg next weekend but it was not to be.

The injuries most certainly took their toll. Up front, the loss of both props didn’t allow the Lions to further impose their domination in the scrums, particularly with a fired up Andy Sheridan on the pitch. The backline without Roberts and O’Driscoll lacked both the physical presence, ball-carrying ability and the defensive organisation both players offer. And all this was happening as South Africa grew into the game, showing superb character and resilience to claw their way back into contention and eventually seal the win.

Springbok celebrations may be tempered following the game by a citing for flanker Schalk Burger, recalled to win his 50th cap, who was sin-binned in the opening minute for making contact with the eyes of debutant Lions wing Luke Fitzgerald. The Springbok flanker ended up receiving an eight-week ban for his troubles, in what surely deserved a red-card during the match.

It was a shame the contest was reduced to uncontested scrums before the game was an hour old, especially considering the dominance the Lions had in this area. This latest high-profile example of a match being marred by the lack of prop replacements must surely bring changes from the International Rugby Board. But not even that disappointing turn of events could overshadow what was one of the great international contests.

As opposed to the shambles of 2005, the class of 2009 and the tour in general could not have been more different. Once the devastation of two closely-fought losses begins to fade, this group of players will be able to hold their heads up high, not only with their performances on and off the pitch thus far, but also in the way they have promoted the Lions brand, and stood up to the challenge.


Player Ratings:

Rob Kearney - 9 – Majestic, particularly in the first half. Excellent under high ball, great boot and fantastic finishing for his try.
Tommy Bowe – 6 – A quiet game without many opportunities with ball in hand. Solid in defense.
Brian O’Driscoll – 7 – Fully up for the challenge and showed his class time and time again with some excellent runs and great defense. A big loss to the team when he was forced off injured.
Jamie Roberts – 6 – Not quite as influential this week, as the Boks midfield defense was much improved. Still put in some strong ball carrying and tackling.
Luke Fitzgerald - 6 – Apart from a couple of strong runs, another quiet game on the wing.
Stephen Jones – 7 – Near faultless with the boot, and ran the backline superbly. Created the try for Kearney.
Mike Phillips – 7 – Improved performance from last week. A big threat around the fringes, and a couple of good charges up the middle, but pass and decision-making needs to improve.

Gethin Jenkins – 6 – Secure at scrum time and showed up well in the loose.
Matthew Rees – 6 – Lost a fair number of lineouts due to poor throwing in, two of which proved very costly. Decent ball carrying in the loose.
Adam Jones – 7 – Scrummaged well to contain and dominate ‘the Beast’, and put in some important tackles.
Simon Shaw - 9 – A rock under the high ball, good in the lineout, a monster in defense and put in some very strong carries. Outplayed both Botha and Matfield and was everywhere on the pitch. A couple too many soft penalties though.
Paul O’Connell – 6 – Wasn’t at his ball-carrying best but showed up well in the lineout and won a couple of turnovers late on.
Tom Croft – 6 – Not quite as omnipresent as he was in the first Test, but still guaranteed quality ball from the lineout. Good defense save for a couple of uncharacteristic lapses.
David Wallace – 7 – A total nuisance to the Boks at the breakdown allied with some strong carrying.
Jamie Heaslip – 6 – Put in the most number of tackles, but was again relatively quiet in attack, in stark contrast to the pace and power of opposite number Pierre Spies.

Replacements:
Andy Sheridan 7, Alun-Wyn Jones 6, Shane Williams 6, Martyn Williams 6, Ronan O’Gara 3

South Africa (8) 28
Tries: Pietersen, Habana, Fourie Con: M Steyn 2 Pens: F Steyn, M Steyn 2

Lions (16) 25
Tries: Kearney Con: S Jones Pens: S Jones 5 Drop-goal: S Jones

South Africa: Frans Steyn, JP Pietersen, Adi Jacobs, Jean de Villiers, Bryan Habana, Ruan Pienaar, Fourie du Preez, Pierre Spies, Juan Smith, Schalk Burger, Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha, John Smit (captain), Bismarck du Plessis, Tendai Mtawarira

Replacements: Chiliboy Ralepelle, Deon Carstens, Andries Bekker, Danie Rossouw, Heinrich Brüssow, Jaque Fourie, Morné Steyn

British & Irish Lions: Rob Kearney (Leinster & Ireland), Tommy Bowe (Ospreys & Ireland), Brian O'Driscoll (Leinster & Ireland), Jamie Roberts (Cardiff Blues & Wales), Luke Fitzgerald (Leinster & Ireland), Stephen Jones (Scarlets & Wales), Mike Phillips (Ospreys & Wales), Jamie Heaslip (Leinster & Ireland), David Wallace (Munster & Ireland), Tom Croft (Leicester Tigers & England), Paul O'Connell (Munster & Ireland, captain), Simon Shaw (London Wasps & England), Adam Jones (Ospreys & Wales), Matthew Rees (Scarlets & Wales), Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues & Wales)

Replacements: Ross Ford (Edinburgh & Scotland), Andrew Sheridan (Sale Sharks & England), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys & Wales), Martyn Williams (Cardiff Blues & Wales), Harry Ellis (Leicester Tigers & England), Ronan O'Gara (Munster & Ireland), Shane Williams (Ospreys & Wales)

Referee: Christophe Berdos (France)
Assistant referees: Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand), Vinny Munro (New Zealand)
Television Match Official: Stuart Dickinson (Australia)