British and Irish Lions vs South Africa LIVE: First test result and reaction in Cape Town
The Lions overcame a 12-3 deficit against the Springboks with a strong second-half display
Dan Biggar’s boot proved the difference as the British & Irish Lions came from behind to beat South Africa 22-17 in an attritional first test in Cape Town on Saturday.
Biggar kicked four penalties and a conversion for a 14-point personal tally to take the Lions to victory after they were 12-3 down at halftime but came back strongly in the second half.
Luke Cowan-Dickie scored the Lions‘ only try with Owen Farrell adding a key late penalty while the Springboks’ points came from a Faf de Klerk try and four first-half penalties from Handre Pollard.
The two teams meet again next Saturday in the second test, also at the Cape Town Stadium.
Maro Itoje won the Player of the Match, telling Sky Sports: “These moments don’t come that often in your career. It’s a real privilege to where this jersey and to win as well is special.
“We don’t want to get ahead of ourselves. We want to come out and do the business next week. We had to tidy up our discipline. We did in the second half and we had the mental fortitude to see it through.”
Lions vs South Africa
Referee Nic Berry has a chat with Dan Biggar, who has the ball in his arms. Maro Itoje takes a knee, though is not apparently joined by any teammates.
Berry whistles, Biggar hoits skywards, and we are underway in Cape Town!
Lions vs South Africa: National anthem
Three socially-distanced singers remind us that this is a very different pre-match build-up. Even at a two-metre distance the harmonies in all five languages are rather pleasant.
A cruel moment from the director as he cuts to Duhan van der Merwe, South African born but now emphatically a Lion, who grinds his teeth, perhaps knowingly. Cheslin Kolbe cricks his neck as the final strains play, scrum cap ready to be strapped on.
Lions vs South Africa: Handre Pollard wins his 50th cap
First out in a Springboks shirt is Handre Pollard, alone to allow him to take the limited applause from the very few essential personnel permitted at Cape Town Stadium on the occasion of his 50th cap. Perhaps not quite how he would have dreamt of this moment, but the Springboks’ vice-captain, fly-half and fulcrum is ready.
Out next are a group of South African warriors in traditional dress, and then it is time for Siya Kolisi, a smile and plenty of energy from the flanker. The South Africa captain looks to the sky as he pivots on to the pitch, clapping his hands in anticipation.
Lions vs South Africa: Alun Wyn Jones leads out the Lions
Out of the tunnel come the Lions, substitutes beating the starters on their back to propel them onwards with an encouraging slap or two. Alun Wyn Jones leads his side out, mascot BIL in his hand, deposited on the touchline as he jogs past the flamethrowers.
Lions vs South Africa
It is here. There were times at which it appeared doubtful that this Tour would even arrive at this stage, the teams are in the tunnel, the Cape Town Stadium surface is clear, and the First Test is set to begin. There may only be empty seats watching on, and battles between the British and Irish Lions and South Africa have tended to be among the touring side’s most memorable. Four years on from a drawn series in New Zealand, and twelve years since defeat to the Springboks in 2009, the Lions go back into Test match battle...
Lions vs South Africa: Kick-off nears
20 minutes until kick-off. It looks a pleasant enough night in Cape Town with the sun beginning to go down. The Lions are running through some backs moves, with Duhan van der Merwe seemingly doing plenty of roaming to be brought in as a carrier from different angles.
Sky Sports have just shown this lovely video package with Stuart Hogg, who has fought back from injury disappointment four years ago and a below-par end to the season at Exeter to earn the starting shirt at full-back. He will have a key role guiding matters from the backfield with the Springboks likely to be kick-heavy.
Lions vs South Africa: Half-an-hour until kick-off in Cape Town
The stage is finally set for an unrecognisable Lions tour
This is a very different series but it will still be defined by a fascinating and familiar battle of mental and physical strength
Lions vs South Africa: Warren Gatland speaks to Sky Sports
On Wyn Jones’ withdrawal: “Rory has done really well for us and we’ll have Mako’s experience off the bench. We know how strong the South African bench is. We are disappointed for Wyn, he’s done exceptionally well but will hopefully be back in training next week.”
On the South Africa A game: “They came at us really hard and we got a good feel for what it might be like tonight and learned a lot from it. It’s going to be a challenge for the players that do take the field but we think we have trained really well.”
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