British & Irish Lions
• British & Irish Lions tour Australia in 2013
Ireland Rugby
Springboks narrowly defeat the Lions in the second test
The second Test between the Springboks and the British and Irish Lions left fans sitting on the edge of their seats. From minute to minute it was almost impossible to predict who would gain the upper hand in this incredibly close game.
At half time the Lions seemed to have a convincing hold on the game as they went into the break with a 16-8 lead. It was clear that both teams were out there to win this encounter and they were willing to put their bodies on the line to do so. If the first half was anything to go by, with a flurry of tries and near misses, it was clear that the crowd should have expected an incredible second half. But even those that were there were in awe of the excitement that was to greet them.
Drama was certainly the order of the day and early into the second half Adam Jones and Gethin Jenkins were both out of the game due to injury. But it was a less dramatic substitution that was to have such a telling impact on the game. Ruan Pienaar had a rather morbid day with the boot and Morne Steyn came on to take his place in the sixteen minute after half time.
Bryan Habana and Fourie were both scorers of excellent tries in the second half that afforded Morne Steyn the opportunity to convert – which he duly did. The Lions’ replied with a steady stream of penalties and then the teams were within one point of each other.
Further drama came with the third try in the second half as the television match official seemed to take forever to finally make the decision to allow South Africa’s third try. The delay seemed to give hope to the Lions but it must be said that they never stopped fighting.
The Lions went on to gain the upper hand and it looked as if it was all but sealed when in the 80th minute, Morne Steyn launched a beautiful kick that landed squarely between the posts. The Lions now go into the third and final test with no hopes of a series win but with the intention of retaining their pride.
SOUTH AFRICA: Francois Steyn (Sharks); JP Pietersen (Sharks), Adrian Jacobs (Sharks), Jean de Villiers (Stormers), Bryan Habana (Bulls); Ruan Pienaar (Sharks), Fourie du Preez (Bulls); Tendai Mtawarira (Sharks), Bismarck du Plessis (Sharks), John Smit (Sharks) (capt), Bakkies Botha (Bulls), Victor Matfield (Bulls), Schalk Burger (Stormers), Juan Smith (Cheetahs), Pierre Spies (Bulls).
Replacements used: Jaque Fourie (Lions) for de Villiers (55 mins), Danie Rossouw (Bulls) for Smith, Andries Bekker (Stormers) for Botha (both 59), Morne Steyn (Bulls) for Pienaar (61), Heinrich Brussow (Cheetahs) for Rossouw (62). Not used: Chiliboy Ralepelle (Bulls), Deon Carstens (Sharks).
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); Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues/Wales), Matthew Rees (Scarlets/Wales), Adam Jones (Ospreys/Wales), Simon Shaw (London Wasps/England), Paul O’Connell (Munster/Ireland) (capt), Tom Croft (Leicester Tigers/England), David Wallace (Munster/Ireland), Jamie Heaslip (Leinster/Ireland).
Replacements used: Andrew Sheridan (Sale Sharks/England) for Jenkins (23-30 mins, blood sub), Sheridan for Adam Jones, Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys/Wales) for Jenkins (both 45 mins), Shane Williams (Ospreys/Wales) for O’Driscoll (64), Ronan O’Gara (Munster/Ireland) for Roberts, Martyn Williams (Cardiff Blues/Wales) for Wallace (both 68). Not used: Harry Ellis (Leicester Tigers/England), Ross Ford (Edinburgh/Scotland).
Referee: Christophe Berdos (France)