Photo Credit - Zimbio
Excitement is at its peak for the long-awaited British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa that will kick off with their first match against the Sigma Lions at Emirates Park on 3 July 2021.
These teams have faced each other 13 times dating as far back as 1891 when the Lions were known as Transvaal. The balance of victories to date is in favour of the British & Irish Lions who have won 8 matches, the Lions 4 and 1 match was drawn. The points difference for these matches ranges from 6 to 23 points, with the largest difference being 64 points in the last match played in 2009 when the British & Irish Lions were the victors with 74-10.
That match the Golden Lions and the South African rugby supporters would rather forget. The Golden Lions had fired Coach Eugene Eloff in the wake of a disappointing Super 14 campaign where they finished 2nd from the bottom on the log. A group of senior players had planned to make themselves unavailable in protest, however in the end they were persuaded to play but may have regretted their decision as the British and Irish Lions dominated from the kick-off at Ellis Park, which was filled to less than half capacity.
The opening minutes were also marred by an injury to Golden Lions full-back Louis Ludick, who was stretchered off after injuring his knee. Thereafter Brian O'Driscoll, Ugo Monye and Tom Croft all scored tries for the British & Irish Loins to take them into half-time with a 39-10 lead. The British and Irish Loins continued their scoring streak in the second half with Tommy Bowe scoring twice and Monye, James Hook and Stephen Ferris completing a 10-try spree.
However, it is 12 years later and the current Sigma Lions team is looking very good after a hard-fought win against the DHL Stormers last week. They will surely want to set the record books straight with a win against the British & Irish Lions Saturday. They have proved that they have the forward pack which will be bolstered with the return of StiSithole who will play from the bench, to take on and potently dominate the British & Irish Lions in the front. Burger Odendaal will add some much-needed experience to a very young but talented backline.
The British & Irish Loins have selected an all-new team starting XV to the one that defeated Japan 28-10 last weekend except for Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby, Wales) who retains his place on the left-wing.
The team also includes 4 debutantes and Lions Head Coach, Warren Gatland will be testing some new player combinations in preparation for the Test Series. He said that he is satisfied with the team training since their arrival in South Africa earlier in the week.
Jordan Hendrikse is back from national duties for the Junior Springboks and ready to start for the Sigma Lions, Burger Odendaal and Sti Sithole also return to the matchday 23.
Lions head coach, Ivan van Rooyen is savouring the opportunity for his young squad to go up against this iconic side. “This is such a big opportunity for every player involved. There is such a small group of guys who will have the chance to play against players of this calibre in their lifetime, and I hope that they truly take a moment to take it in and savour the enormity of the moment.”
Prediction:
The British and Irish Loins will have the advantage of being the far more experienced team. They will play typical test match kicking rugby and will want to make their mark with strong forward play. That being said, they showed in their match against Japan that they prefer to avoid the rucks and do not commit many players to the ruck, something the Sigma Lions should exploit.
The less experienced Sigma Lions will be the "underdog" team however, they will take on their opponents in the front and be ready to counter their kicking tactics. More importantly, they will use their underdog label to their advantage and play their hearts out as the first South African team to face the British & Irish Lions. This coupled with the fact that altitude will most certainly adversely affect the stamina and performance of the British and Irish Lions, will improve the Sigma Lions' chance for victory.
We discuss the up and coming British and Irish Lions Tour
2021 Teams:
Sigma Lions: 15. EW Viljoen, 14. Jamba Ulengo, 13. Manuel Rass, 12. Burger Odendaal, 11. Rabz Maxwane, 10. Jordan Hendrikse, 9. Dillon Smit, 8. Francke Horn (capt), 7. Vincent Tshituka, 6. Sbusiso Sangweni, 5. Reinhard Nothnagel, 4. Ruben Schoeman, 3. Ruan Dreyer, 2. PJ Botha, 1. Nathan McBeth. Replacements: 16. Jaco Visagie, 17. Sti Sithole, 18. Carlu Sadie, 19. Ruhan Straeuli, 20. Emmanuel Tshituka, 21. Morne van den Berg, 22. Fred Zeilinga, 23. Dan Kriel.
British And Irish Lions: 15, Stuart Hogg (c), 14. Louis Rees-Zammit, 13. Chris Harris, 12. Owen Farrell, 11. Josh Adams, 10. Finn Russell, 9. Ali Price, 8. Taulupe Faletau, 7. Hamish Watson, 6. Courtney Lawes, 5. Jonny Hill, 4. Maro Itoje, 3. Kyle Sinckler, 2. Jamie George, 1. Wyn Jones. Replacements: 16. Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17. Mako Vunipola, 18. Zander Fagerson, 19. Iain Henderson, 20. Sam Simmonds, 21. Gareth Davies, 22. Bundee Aki, 23. Elliot Daly.
2009 Teams:
Golden Lions: Louis Ludik, Michael Killian, Jannie Boshoff, Doppies la Grange, Dusty Noble, Andre Pretorius, Jano Vermaak, Lawrence Sephaka, Willie Wepener, Gert Muller, Brad Mockford, Willem Stoltz, Cobus Grobbelaar, Franco van der Merwe, Willem Alberts.
Replacements: ShandreFrolick for Ludik (6), Walter Venter for Boshoff (50), Chris Jonck for Vermaak (66), Ernst Joubert for Stoltz (6 and 57), Todd Clever for Mockford (40), EthienneReynecke for Wepener (57), Janse van Rensburg for Sephaka (50).
British and Irish Lions: Rob Kearney; Tommy Bowe, Brian O'Driscoll, Jamie Roberts, Ugo Monye; Stephen Jones, Mike Phillips; Gethin Jenkins, Lee Mears, Phil Vickery, Nathan Hines, Alun-Wyn Jones, Tom Croft, David Wallace, Jamie Heaslip.
Replacements: Shane Williams for O'Driscoll (61), James Hook for Roberts (53), Harry Ellis for S Jones (62), Stephen Ferris for Wallace (49), Andy Powell for Croft (66), Euan Murray for Vickery (66), Ross Ford for Mears (66).
Match History:
1891 Transvaal 0 – 6 B&I Lions
1896 Transvaal 3 – 16 B&I Lions, Transvaal 5 – 16 B&I Lions
1903 Transvaal 12 – 3 B&I Lions, Transvaal 14 – 4 B&I Lions
1924 Transvaal 12 – 12 B&I Lions
1938 Transvaal 16 – 9 B&I Lions, Transvaal 9 – 17 B&I Lions
1955 Transvaal 13 – 36 B&I Lions
1968 Transvaal 14 – 6 B&I Lions
1980 Transvaal 12 – 32 B&I Lions
1997 Transvaal 14 – 20 B&I Lions
2009 Golden Lions 10 – 74 B&I Lions
Article by Francois du Toit