The British & Irish Lions gave the Xerox Golden Lions a lesson in rugby on Wednesday night. The British beat the team from Johannesburg 74 – 10 at Ellispark.
The Johannesburg side struggled in the Super 14 and last week Loffie Eloff received his marching orders. In the wake of that drama, it was always going to be tough and the Golden Lions looked every inch a team in turmoil as they capitulated to the tourists.
Brian O’Driscoll’s men were innovative and clinical, but the hosts contributed to the inflated scoreline through their staggered defence, piss-poor handling and inability to finish. Ian McGeechan will be pleased with resultant momentum, but the Lions’ mentor will also know the win came against a very weak side.
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The Springbok squad to take on the British & Irish Lions was announced by SARU President Oregan Hoskins and coach Peter de Villiers on Monday night at Montecasino.
The 28-man squad includes one newcomer in Vodacom Blue Bulls flyhalf Morné Steyn. The selection also marks the return to the Springbok squad of Sharks prop Deon Carstens and Vodacom Blue Bulls centre Wynand Olivier, both of whom last played for the Boks in 2007.
The other uncapped squad member is Xerox Lions flyhalf Earl Rose, who toured Europe with the Springbok team in 2008 but did not play.
Sharks flyhalf Ruan Pienaar and utility back Frans Steyn, who have been recovering from injury in recent weeks, are included in the group.
The squad includes ten players from the Vodacom Bulls’ victorious Vodacom Super 14 squad. No less than 25 members of the squad that toured Wales, Scotland and England at the end of last year were included again.
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Munster and British & Irish Lions captain and lock Paul O’Connell promised to do the jersey proud and lead from the front in their 10-match tour of South Africa in June / July.
Head coach Ian McGeechan handed O’Connell the captaincy over Brian O’Driscoll despite the Leinster centre having skippered Ireland to a first Grand Slam in 61 years in March.
McGeechan, however, rarely does things without some intricate planning and the former Scotland and Lions centre is hoping O’Connell will form a “real focus in the forwards” as England great Martin Johnson did when the Lions last won a series, 12 years ago, against the Springboks.
“He is a huge character and has a huge amount of respect,” McGeechan said of O’Connell.
“For South Africa, it’s important to have that focal point there.”
O’Connell himself said he thought the current 37-strong Lions squad was stronger than the one that was whitewashed 3-0 in New Zealand four years ago when then-coach Clive Woodward used 51 players.
The Munster lock, 29, played in all three of those Tests but failed to make much impression as the visitors were soundly outplayed by the Dan Carter-inspired All Blacks.
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The South African economy is to receive a R1 billion injection due to the British & Irish Lions Tour.
With South Africa hosting several major sporting events throughout 2009, including three high-profile international tournaments, economists are predicting a boost of R4 billion into the country’s economy.
The tournament starts on 30 May at the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace in Phokeng near Rustenburg with a game against the Royal XV. The first international takes place on 20 June in Durban, when the Springboks, the current Rugby World Cup Champions, clash with their northern hemisphere opponents.
Over the course of 10 matches,the British & Irish Lions will take on four provincial teams, two invitational combinations, the Emerging Springboks, and the Springboks. They will visit South Africa next in 2021.
According to the tour’s project manager, Andre Homan of the South African Rugby Union, around 50 000 fanatical British rugby fans will follow their heroes to South Africa. Most are expected to stay at least three weeks.
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Bath player Butch James will miss the British & Irish Lions tour of South Africa and Frans Steyn will get his wish to flyhalf – but not in South Africa.
French media confirm that Steyn has signed for Paris-based second division side Racing Metro, who have virtually secured their place in the Top 14. The year-long deal is reported to be the most lucrative ever for a South African player. Steyn will make the move to Paris after the Springboks’ end of year tour.
His negotiations with Racing was the worst kept secret in South African rugby and in recent months it became increasingly likely that Steyn would agree a deal.
A month ago Sharks coach John Plumtree told keo.co.za they were desperate to hold onto Steyn, but he was resigned to the fact that they would never be able to match what Racing was offering.
Steyn will play primarily in his preferred position of flyhalf for Racing. With Ruan Pienaar injured, Steyn has had an extended run at pivot for the Sharks, but has failed to shatter the widely held perception that he is better suited to inside centre – where the Sharks and Springboks see his future. He appears to be hellbent on proving that he has the aptitude to play in the position, but this seems like an extreme way to make his point.
James limped off in Bath’s Premiership match at the weekend and scans has subsequently confirmed that he has torn ligaments in his knee. He will be sidelined for an extended period.
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On Friday, on the 100-day countdown to the British and Irish Lions Tour of South Africa, details of the second phase of match ticket sales will be announced.
Ticket sales to stadium season ticket and suite ticket holders – who were given first option – are virtually complete, allowing the second phase of sales to open to the general public shortly.
“We will announce all the details of what tickets are available at what price and how they can be purchased on Friday – precisely 100 days before the series kicks off,” said Andre Homan, SA Rugby’s project manager for the Lions tour.
“We made a commitment to our loyal supporters that they would have first option on tickets and the interest from them has been exceptional. The Test matches are obviously in high demand and there has been considerable uptake in Cape Town for their two non-Test matches.
“The impact has been that some matches have already been sold out but we will announce the details on Friday.”
Source: sarugby.co.za
