South Africa 26 – Lions 21

Disappointing result for the Lions really, but it could have been an awful lot worse. Not sure if it was Lions’ nerves, or Springboks early determination, but 13-0 after 20 min’s wasn’t in the game plan for the Lions. O’Drisscoll was picking him self up after the first kick, with the Springboks targeting him early on. There was a bit of controversy picking Smit at prop, but he charged over the line after 5 mins, pretty much unopposed. The climb just got tougher.

I heard Paul O’Connell after the match, suggesting there were too many penalties, suggesting the ref might have awarded a few too many. This makes it difficult, but Jones didn’t help – missed two, one in front of the posts. Those six points would have kept them a bit closer. As it was, although the Lions had a lot of possession, it was the Springboks that took their scores. I was surprised Steyn didn’t start slotting them in from his own 22, as he landed every other effort.

Two of the Lion’s tries were very similar, O’Drisscoll with ultra-flat passes to Croft on his shoulder. The hard work from Croft was getting into the right position and he took his scores easily. The second Lion’s try was an important one. They’d been camped on the Sprinbok’s goal line for a long time before Philips found the break, but this was on 68mins and left them with just too much to do. It kept the last 20 interesting, Lions in control and the Springboks really showing signs of tiring. 5 points short, but I’m sure that is no consolation for the Lions, who now have a huge task to try and win the series. But it’s not over, ’til the fat lady sings.

O’Drisscoll must have been man of the match for the Lions, but great performances from his centre partner, Roberts. Kearney did really well when he joined the game and could push for a start next week. Not sure Jones is the man to have at fly half now, missing a couple of critical kicks – with little variety to his game. I was a little disappointed by O’Connell. Maybe he is just trying too hard, but he lost a few lineouts and was penalised a few times. They can’t really drop the captain though, and I’m not sure Hines, Shaw or O’Callaghan would struggle to replace him. Heaslip didn’t impress as much as he can, but there are two games to go. Roar on to Pretoria.