The Springboks decided to wear white armbands, in protest about Botha’s suspension. Pity they didn’t wear protest armbands 30 years ago to protest about apartheid, but then the argument was to keep sport and politics separate. I bought that argument at the time, so why bring petty bickering about a suspension into things now? Accept the decision of the ruling body, given the authority to run the sport. Move on, play sport. I think this was a really silly gesture. If we want to get really petty, why did Quinlan get 12 weeks when Burger only got 8? But I’d rather think about the game.

Rant over for now The Lion’s restored pride with a very strong performance, dominating most aspects of the game and taking their opportunities well. Nice hand work for both of William’s tries, and Moyne’s intercept was excellently timed. Some SA’s were commenting that this was a second team, to blood some new players, but that was their choice. I don’t think a change in SA personnel would have made too much difference. The Lions had to prove themselves and were out to do so.

To start ranting again, the Springboks’ discipline broke down near the end, throwing Lions to the ground and showing completely uncalled for off-the-ball aggression. I just don’t know why they think they can behave like this. The Lions were very mature in their approach, with no need for the famous 99 call this time.

Tour over. I enjoyed it and can’t wait until the next one. Yes, it would be nice to win a tour, but that can happen. Here’s my quick review of how the Irish contingent got on.

O’Connell – I think his leadership was more important that his individual play on the field. I don’t think we saw the huge performances we’ve seen in the red of Munster or in a green shirt, but he will have learned from this.
O’Callaghan – didn’t really get opportunities to play and had strong competition for the number 4 jersey. Good that he was on tour.
Wallace – grows and grows and I think some of his performances were world class. There was debate as to whether Williams or Wallace should start the first couple of tests, but he is an amazing player and he benefited from the tour.
Heaslip – could be there for another couple of tours and I’m sure he’ll also grow as a player. Immense
Ferris – didn’t get to the test stage, but was amazing in all of the build up games. He’s there for another tour or two if he keeps the momentum in his growth up.
O’Gara – not quite as bad as his 2007 RWC, but close. Disaster of a tour and I’m sure he’ll look forward to the beach
O’Drisscoll – amazing tour, and made up for having the NZ tour cut short. Thrives without the burden of captaincy.
Fitzgerald – good tour and again he’s young enough to make one or two more. Might need to develop a kicking game, but his defence is good.
Kearney – star of the show – he became a bit of legend during the tour and rarely put a foot wrong. And he’ll be back in a red jersey.
Bowe – I don’t think I knew how good he has become, even though I watched him often enough for Ulster.

Players to note from the other countries – Byrne, Martyn Williams, Phillips, Roberts, Flutey all impressed me, together with the Welsh front row.

1: Sheridan
2: Rees
3: Vickery – another chance
4: Shaw
5: O’Connell
6: Worsley
7: Williams
8: Heaslip
9: Phillips
10: Jones
11: Williams
12: Flutey
13: Bowe – in the centre
14: Moyne
15: Kearney

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.