Emerging Springboks v Lions

Emerging Springboks 13 British & Irish Lions 13: Read a full match report from Emerging Springboks v Lions at Newlands Stadium, Cape Town, South Africa on June 23rd, 2009.

Done at the death. The unbeaten midweek side looked to be signing off with a hard-earned, morale-boosting win ahead of Saturday’s second test in Pretoria, until the opposition struck with five seconds left on the clock on Tuesday evening.

Wing Danwel Demas slid in at the corner and then, with the rain lashing down, substitute Willem de Waal, nailed the conversion from the touchline. Dramatic and soul-destroying for the Lions midweek side. They finish the tour unbeaten, but they would have wanted to preserve the 100 per cent record.

Small wonder that Ian McGeechan billed this "the fourth test, our most difficult game on tour“. The Emerging Springboks, all uncapped, featured several of South Africa’s foremost provincial players: revved-up and itching to take a chunk out of the opposition.

There was a commendable snap and energy about the Lions, however, a sense that they wanted to do their bit. They almost did

It was a filthy night, squalls billowing in from the Atlantic, soaking the crowd of 39,418 but not drowning their spirits. The massed ranks of the red army once again did themselves proud.

The conditions made handling tricky. It also restricted opportunities for those itching to make a mark, notably wings, Shane Williams and Luke Fitzgerald. Both did enough to keep themselves firmly in the minds of selectors, Williams going the distance. It will be a close call.

There was a lot of interest, too, in the arrival shortly after half-time of James Hook, steady again after a bout of concussion, and replacing Ronan O’Gara. Hook offers more for the bench and came through well enough, one low-drilled kick penetrating deep into the Springbok 22.

For several Lions this match was a chance for a last crack at winning a test spot or even redeeming the entire tour. Williams certainly fitted into that category. His form has been scratchy, his marksmanship non-existent. But there was a place up for grabs after Ugo Monye’s bloopers in the first test.

Both wings were eager for an early sighting of the ball and both made sure they got it, Williams jinking in trademark fashion before Fitzgerald found a cute angle to make difficulties for the Boks’ defence.

Hard graft is as much a part of the modern wing’s repertoire as twinkling feet. Fitzgerald also did terrifically well to get back and help out full-back, Keith Earls. Williams, for his part, stripped his opposite number, Luzuko Vulindlu in the tackle and then dealt with a swirling up-and-under from Jano Vermaak with dead-eyed aplomb.

It was hard graft all round, the Lions being put on the back foot after a lively opening. Thy stuck together, backed each other in defence, and almost got due reward.

It was heartening to see Irish referee, Alain Rolland finally do what officials are supposed to do and penalise players flying off their feet at the breakdown. The Lions have been badly served in that regard.

Rolland pinged the South Africans four times in the opening 13 minutes, and threatened them with yellow cards. That soon kept them honest. The Lions will hope that Frenchman Christophe Berdos does likewise in Pretoria.

Earls has come on splendidly since his early tour dose of the heeby-jeebies. He’s a better fit at full-back and runs with the nerve and skimming style of a Christian Cullen. There’s a big future ahead for the 21 year-old.

He put himself about here, and was on hand to take the scoring pass in the 15th minute following sharp-eyed build-up work from Martyn Williams and Riki Flutey. O’Gara’s conversion and earlier penalty gave the Lions a 10-0 lead.

The two props, John Hayes and Tim Payne, were there to pay due deference to the badge, having only flown into the country 48 hours earlier to help the Lions overcome a propping crisis. T

he good news for the selectors as they make their deliberations ahead of Thursday’s team announcement was that Andrew Sheridan had recovered from his bruised back and full-back Lee Byrne was also back in the frame after coming off in the first test with a foot problem.

The Lions had to pull together as the Emerging Boks came at them. Fly-half Earl Rose knocked over a penalty either side of half-time to close the scores. The Emerging Springboks ran hard and true, spurred by the livewire scrum-half, Jano Vermaak.

After their troubles in the first test it was good to hear the cheers that greeted the arrival of prop Phil Vickery and wing, Ugo Monye, midway through the second half.

The Boks’ pressed, the Lions resisted, a long, raking downfield kick from Earls lifting the siege. From there they then won a penalty for a collapsed scrum which Hook landed.

Still the job wasn’t done. One more lunge by the Boks, a lineout deep into Lions territory. They won it and Demas's slithering effort and de Waal’s magnificent kick broke their hearts.