Lions eye place in history

THE 1997 Lions play their last match of their tour of South Africa this afternoon - the third and final Test at Ellis Park.

Seven weeks ago, 35 players set out on this tour with hope, dedication, commitment and belief in their hearts that they could win the Test series.

Not too many shared their faith or thought that they could achieve what only one other Lions team this century attained, victory in the Test series. Not least in that category of the doubters were the South Africans.

However, on successive Saturdays in Newlands and King's Park The Lions faith, resilience, courage and opportunism were put to the test and on each occasion they answered the call. The result is that whatever the outcome of the match today the Test series has been won, the improbable has been defied and South Africa is still reeling from the shock.

So this afternoon the Springboks will go into the Test striving desperately to avoid the indignity of a whitewash, an ignominy never inflicted on them on their own heartland by any touring team this century.

They won more possession than the Lions in both Tests and enjoyed a territorial advantage in both Tests but could not make it pay the dividend. A week ago a chronic place kicking weakness proved costly. Also in both Tests the Lions came from behind in the final 10 minutes to win. That is a tremendous tribute to the character in the team an attribute the Springboks have lacked.

The Springboks have sought remedial action by altering the side that lost last week, additionally they have had further change imposed upon them because of injuries. The team now shows no fewer than six changes from the side that lost in Durban. When the side was announced earlier in the week, it was the pack which underwent the major surgery.

Their much vaunted front row, the trio who were supposed to lay the foundations for the demolition of the Lions, was amended in two areas. Out went hooker Naka Drotske and tight head prop Adrian Garvey. They have been replaced by James Dalton at hooker and Dawie Theron at tight head.

Injuries deprive the Springboks of the services of second row Mark Andrews and blind side flanker Ruben Kruger, and that means that Krynauw Otto comes into the second row and a new cap Johan Erasmus is on the blind side flank. Thus four changes in the pack.

The only alteration made in the back line was the inclusion of new cap Jannie de Beer at out-half for Henry Honiball. But on Thursday night full back Andre Joubert was ruled out because of a groin strain suffered in training in the afternoon. It failed to respond to treatment so Joubert will be replaced by Russell Bennett, who came on as replacement on the wing in the first Test.

The Lions, too, have had their injury problems. Hooker Keith Wood, who made so significant a contribution in the two Tests, left wing Alan Tait and out-half Gregor Townsend are all unavailable. The three men called in are Mark Regan at hooker, Mike Catt at out-half and Tony Underwood on the left wing. All three will be sampling Test rugby for the first time. The Lions selectors also decided to make one other alteration. They have brought Neil Back in on the open side flank for Richard Hill.

Maintaining concentration will be imperative for the Lions. That is not easily achieved at the end of a tour as thoughts turn to home especially with the series won. Lions coach Jim Telfer has admitted that will be a factor. "Concentration must be maintained," said Telfer. "I have no doubt that the Springboks will throw everything at us again from the start. We must be prepared to meet that."

Gary Teichmann, the Springboks captain has made an impassioned plea to his side. "We had the situation last year when we lost two Tests to the All Blacks. We came back to win the third and we will make every effort to do that again. We do not want to go into the Tri-Nations series having been whitewashed."

One of the criticisms made against the Springboks has been the lack of a game plan. I have little doubt that Teichmann and his forward colleagues will seek to subdue the Lions and drive at them off the fringes in the hope the defence will crack.

So can the Lions win more possession than they did last week?

The scrum, with Paul Wallace at its heart, will stand up and yet again, Jeremy Davidson and Martin Johnson should win their own line outs. Davidson's catching and general play around the field have been outstanding.

In making the changes they did, forced and enforced, the Lions have gone for greater mobility by including Back and that probably gave Mark Regan the edge at hooker over Barry Williams.

"Our aim is to win more possession and be more flexible with it and have greater continuity. But I will be happy to win even if it is by penalty kicks, you have to be in a position to get penalties within kicking distance of your opponents posts. Once more we finished strongly last week as we did in Newlands. But I would like to play an expansive game if possible and win with it," said McGeechan.

The team the Springboks field today does not look as strong as the sides they had in the first and the second Tests and while the Lions may miss the inspirational players such as Wood, they have the capacity to win this match.

Springboks' confidence and arrogance have taken a severe knock, if tonight the Lions have won the series 3-0, then truly will the Springboks will be in crisis and the heads will roll.

The Lions must display the commitment, courage and dedication that has seen them accomplish so much over the past seven weeks. Now those great attributes can help the team to conquer again and achieve what no touring team has ever attained. There could scarcely be a greater incentive.