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.”
South Africa 17-19 Lions, 63 minutes
Changes for both sides - Lood De Jager and Rynhardt Elstadt introuduced for South Africa, Conor Murray brought on at scrum-half by
De Jager first involvement is to munch a Lion in the tackle, perfectly legally as he chases the kick-off.
That isn’t legal, though! Hamish Watson might be in trouble for a tip tackle on Willie Le Roux...
PENALTY! South Africa 17-19 LIONS (Dan Biggar penalty, 63 minutes)
Perfect from Dan Biggar. This is about as tough as they come, chalk on his boots as he enters his run-up from beyond the touchline but the ball is flighted beautifully, a hint of right-to-left fade to take it between the posts. The Lions are into the lead for the first time.
South Africa 17-16 Lions, 61 minutes
Cheslin Kolbe is sick of being dominated aerially and inflicts some punishment of his own, getting high above Ali Price, but unfortunate to come down in touch with a sly hand around his thigh from Price helping him across while still in the air.
The Lions maul at the lineout and win another penalty wide on the left.
South Africa 17-16 Lions, 60 minutes
Duhan van der Merwe is away but again this won’t count! It’s another tight knock-on call!
Crikey this is a close one, van der Merwe and Robbie Henshaw each going up in the air above Cheslin Kolbe and combining to claim beyond him. The wing spins away but is hastily called back, saving another decision for the TMO as he is high tackled inches from the line, with Nic Berry having spotted the ball spilling forwards from Henshaw’s hands into those of van der Merwe while the pair came down to floor.
It’s the right call, but only just. A knock-on.
South Africa 17-16 Lions, 59 minutes
Almost inevitably, the turf churns up like arable field beneath the plough, so we are forced to shift over five yards and try again.
This one is stable and the Lions will play away from the back of the scrum.
South Africa 17-16 Lions, 57 minutes
It feels like the game may be turning. The Lions are getting their kick chase spot on, and Ali Price is weighting his box kicks nicely. Duhan van der Merwe gets up in the air to trouble Willie Le Roux, and is swiftly on to Kwagga Smith trying to sweep up behind him, forcing Smith into a knock-on. With two-thirds of their front row freshly amongst things the Lions will feed the scrum.
PENALTY! South Africa 17-16 LIONS (Dan Biggar penalty, 56 minutes)
And just like that the Lions are back to within one! The game is as close as it has been since kick-off as Dan Biggar again confidently sends the ball through the posts.
Changes for the Lions - Mako Vunipola, Ken Owens and Hamish Watson are introduced. Rory Sutherland, Luke Cowan-Dickie and Tom Curry the men to come off.
South Africa 17-13 Lions, 54 minutes
A bit of confidence to the Lions now after that penalty. Courtney Lawes strides like a steeplechaser, hopping over the hurdles and striding through the puddle of South African arms to make a break to inside the South Africa half.
The Lions keep the ball alive well and Lawes is employed more traditionally to thump against the door, which fails to swing ajar. More forward carriers find little change out of the tight defence and Duhan van der Merwe is effectively dealt with, too, but the referee’s whistle will halt things - and it’s a fifth penalty in succession against South Africa...
PENALTY! South Africa 17-13 LIONS (Dan Biggar penalty, 53 minutes)
Over it goes. The Lions move back to within four points.
South Africa 17-10 Lions, 52 minutes
Kwagga Smith has had an impressive game so far, busy around the park and particularly in the contact area. This time he gets his timing wrong, though, just as Elliot Daly did in the first half - ripping the ball from Alun Wyn Jones after Nic Berry had called tackle. Penalty to the Lions, and this one is being directed towards the posts.
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