British & Irish Lions
• What did the South Africans ever do for us?
Ireland Rugby
All systems go for the Second Test
This week marks the second test in the exciting British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa. It is clear from the first test that this is going to be a trying game and both teams want to ensure that they put their best foot forward when they meet at Loftus Versfeld this weekend.
From the South African perspective, they have Schalk Burger back in the team and there are great expectations of the forward. This means that Heinrich Brussow has to warm the bench for this game and Ricky Januarie has been relegated to the same position. Other than the addition of Chiliboy Ralepelle to the bench, there is no other change to the Springbok squad.
According to the Bok coach, they are keen to keep as close to the winning team as possible from their first successful outing against the Lions. They are prepared for a monumental clash come game day.
This is certainly the feeling on the Lions’ side of things as well. They have tried to keep the team as close to the last game as possible and want to make sure that they go out fighting against a strong Bok side. It is clear that there is everything to play for in the second test and the Lions know that they have a big job ahead of them.
Lions: Rob Kearney, Tommy Bowe, Brian O’Driscoll, Jamie Roberts, Luke Fitzgerald, Stephen Jones, Mike Phillips; Gethin Jenkins, Matthew Rees, Adam Jones, Simon Shaw, Paul O’Connell, Tom Croft, David Wallace, Jamie Heaslip.
Replacements: Ross Ford, Andrew Sheridan (for Jenkins, blood, 22-31, 45), Alun-Wyn Jones (for A Jones, 45), Martyn Williams (for Wallace, 68), Harry Ellis, Ronan O’Gara (for Roberts 67), Shane Williams (for O’Driscoll, 64).
SOUTH AFRICA TEAM & REPLACEMENTS (v British & Irish Lions, 2009 Test series, Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria, Saturday, June 27, kick-off 3pm local time/2pm Irish time):
15. Francois Steyn (Sharks)
14. JP Pietersen (Sharks)
13. Adrian Jacobs (Sharks)
12. Jean de Villiers (Stormers)
11. Bryan Habana (Bulls)
10. Ruan Pienaar (Sharks)
9. Fourie du Preez (Bulls)
1. Tendai Mtawarira (Sharks)
2. Bismarck du Plessis (Sharks)
3. John Smit (Sharks) (capt)
4. Bakkies Botha (Bulls)
5. Victor Matfield (Bulls)
6. Schalk Burger (Stormers)
7. Juan Smith (Cheetahs)
8. Pierre Spies (Bulls)
Replacements:
16. Chiliboy Ralepelle (Bulls)
17. Deon Carstens (Sharks)
18. Andries Bekker (Stormers)
19. Danie Rossouw (Bulls)
20. Heinrich Brussow (Cheetahs)
21. Jaque Fourie (Lions)
22. Morné Steyn (Bulls)