Wholesale changes for final test

Lions tour team news: It was a case of all change this afternoon as the starting line-ups for Saturday's final test were announced. With an unassailable 2-0 lead, South Africa retain just five of their starting line-up while the Lions field eight of the side who lost the second test in Pretoria.

With both of his first choice props ruled out through injury, Lions coach Ian McGeechan has drafted the England duo of Phil Vickery and Andrew Sheridan into his front row.

In the back row, David Wallace and Tom Croft drop to the replacements bench with Martyn Williams and Joe Worsely starting in their stead.

A wrist injury has sidelined Wales star Jamie Roberts, so England’s Riki Flutey forges a new midfield combination with Tommy Bowe, who switches from the wing.

Ugo Monye, dropped after the first test defeat, returns in the number 14 shirt, with world player of the year Shane Williams starting instead of Luke Fitzgerald on the other wing.

Despite having already conceded the series, McGeechan paid tribute to his players today as the Lions seek to avoid another whitewash at the hands of Southern Hemisphere opposition.

"As a squad they have met many challenges on the tour including playing two matches per week, the inevitable injuries and two narrow Test losses,” said McGeechan. “Despite this they have remained a tight, focussed squad and I know those playing in the third test will give their all to ensure that we achieve a victory on Saturday.

"It is fair to say injuries have had an impact on the tour as you would expect including selection for the third test as we were unfortunate to lose Brian O'Driscoll, Jamie Roberts, Gethin Jenkins and Adam Jones through injury last Saturday.

"However, the players coming into the starting XV are all talented international players and are as keen as ever to turn the tables on the Springboks."

With the series already in the bag, South Africa coach Pieter de Villiers opted to give the rest of his squad a game leaving captain John Smit, vice-captain Victor Matfield, Fourie du Preez, Tendai Mtawarira and Juan Smith as the only survivors.

Bulls fullback Zane Kirchner will make his debut in the number 15 jersey, while Odwa Ndungane, Jaque Fourie, Wynand Olivier, Jongi Nokwe and Morne Steyn all come in to a backline that includes just one player — scrum-half Du Preez — that started in the previous Test that was won 28-25 by the world champions.

There are four new faces amongst the forwards where Chiliboy Ralepelle Johann Muller, Heinrich Brussow and Ryan Kankowski all come in.

"We believe the guys selected are as good as the others and that they can go out and do an outstanding job for the Springboks," said de Villiers today. "They will also bring fresh energy to the team after two tough Tests.

"We respect the British and Irish Lions so much, and we want to give everybody a run against them.

"If they miss out on this opportunity, then they might not play against them again in their lifetime."

On the bench, uncapped Sharks lock Steven Sykes has been named following the unsuccessful appeal earlier today by Bakkies Botha over a two-week suspension for dangerous charging.

Sharks captain Johann Muller has been included in the starting team in Botha’s place, while Bismarck du Plessis, Pierre Spies, Ruan Pienaar and Frans Steyn all drop down to being amongst the substitutes, which also includes Gurthro Steenkamp and Deon Carstens.

South Africa: Z Kirchner (Bulls); O Ndungane (Sharks), J Fourie (Lions), W Olivier (Bulls), J Nokwe (Cheetahs); M Steyn (Bulls), F du Preez (Bulls); T Mtawarira (Sharks), C Ralepelle (Bulls), J Smit (Sharks), J Muller (Sharks), V Matfield (Bulls), H Brussow (Cheetahs), J Smith (Cheetahs), R Kankowski (Sharks). Replacements: B du Plessis (Sharks), G Steenkamp (Bulls), D Carstens (Sharks), S Sykes (Sharks), P Spies (Bulls), R Pienaar (Sharks), F Steyn (Sharks).

British and Irish Lions: R Kearney (Leinster and Ireland); U Monye (Harlequins and England), T Bowe (Ospreys and Ireland), R Flutey (Wasps and England), S Williams (Ospreys and Wales); S Jones (Scarlets and Wales), M Phillips (Ospreys and Wales); A Sheridan (Sale Sharks and England), M Rees (Scarlets and Wales), P Vickery (Wasps and England), S Shaw (Wasps and England), P O'Connell (Munster and Ireland, capt), J Worsley (Wasps and England), M Williams (Cardiff Blues and Wales), J Heaslip (Leinster and Ireland). Replacements: R Ford (Edinburgh and Scotland), J Hayes (Munster and Ireland), A-W Jones (Ospreys and Wales), D Wallace (Munster and Ireland), T Croft (Leicester and England), H Ellis (Leicester and England), J Hook (Ospreys and Wales)