there wasn't already a thread on this event, starts at 5PM UK time, I honestly think SA will just have the edge their physicality will be decisive, and if they show their WC final form when they destroyed a powerful English pack the Lions will struggle to stay with them.

However for those who believe in omens it's worth remembering that the Lions won over there in 1997, when as now SA were world champions.

Close but SA on top and de Klerc running things

Tight but Lions lead by 2 points with 8 minutes to go.

Great comeback , don’t always get it but puts the PL to shame

Stunning 2nd half by the Lions, and they thoroughly deserved their narrow victory, that really put the onus on SA to respond in the 2nd test.

Shame that there's no visiting fans allowed, in fact no fans at all for such a great sporting occasion, but sadly that can't be helped ATM.

The only worry for the Lions will be the mounting injury list, but the depth in the squad should ensure that they still put out a strong XV and replacements despite picking up a few knocks.

Elizabeth wrote: ↑

Sat Jul 24, 2021 7:04 pm

Great comeback , don’t always get it but puts the PL to shame

A great reading of the game and half time talk by Warren Gatland

What a display that was... Wow... Hopefully our recovery team have been in contact with the Alun Wyn Jones group to help get Nick back in good time

Watched the whole game and South Africa easily the best team in the first half. As mentioned earlier Gatland certainly showed his worth at half time as there was a very different Lions on view in the second half. It was a slow burner but a totally enjoyable,entertaining game as it progressed. One or two close decisions denied South Africa in the second half but to their credit they just accepted them.and got on with it. A very refreshing change to what anyone watching Premier League experiences.

A nail-biter with SA being worth their half time lead but Lions coming back strongly; could've gone either way. Maybe Lions had the rub of the green re ref/TMO decisions- especially on Hamish Watson not getting binned for the tip-tackle.

Just a few changes for the Lions in the 2nd test probably: at loose-head prop (assuming Wyn Jones is back fit) and No 13 almost certainly. I doubt Gatland will make too many changes to a winning squad though.

As already stated- a shame there was no home or away support in the stadium to see/cheer the game.

Got round to watching it on Saturday night having managed to avoid the score all evening. Not the most free flowing game but a tense, hard test match which the lions came out the right side after a great second half turn around. Looking forward to the next test now. The boks are going to be smarting after that so the lions are going to have to redouble their efforts.

Our oldest friends came round for Dinner last night, he's an old school friend of the late " Hampstead Claret " ...
We drank a short toast, he'd have loved the game yesterday, followed by a sprinkling of Springsteen and a glass or two of something decent !

casualclaret wrote: ↑

Sun Jul 25, 2021 9:12 pm

Got round to watching it on Saturday night having managed to avoid the score all evening. Not the most free flowing game but a tense, hard test match which the lions came out the right side after a great second half turn around. Looking forward to the next test now. The boks are going to be smarting after that so the lions are going to have to redouble their efforts.

I think its probably worth a bet that the Boks will win the series from here. On a knife edge.