Match Report
| South Africa | 9 | vs | 28 | The British and Irish Lions |
| Tries. | Tries. S.Williams (2), Monye | |
| Conv. | Conv. Jones (2) | |
| Pen. M.Steyn (3) | Pen. Jones (3) |
The British and Irish Lionsvs South Africa (3rd Test)4th July 2009SheridanReesVickeryShawO'ConnellWorsleyM.WilliamsHeaslipPhillipsS.JonesFluteyBoweMonyeS.WilliamsKearney The British and Irish Lions
- 1. Sheridan
- 2. Rees
- 3. Vickery
- 4. Shaw
- 5. O'Connell (c)
- 6. Worsley
- 7. M.Williams
- 8. Heaslip
- 9. Phillips
- 10. S.Jones
- 11. S.Williams
- 12. Flutey
- 13. Bowe
- 14. Monye
- 15. Kearney
-
Subs:
- Ford
(Rees, 31),
- Hayes
- Wyn Jones
- Croft
- Wallace
- Ellis
- Hook
South Africa
- 1. Mtawarira
- 2. Ralepelle
- 3. Smit (c)
- 4. Muller
- 5. Matfield
- 6. Brussow
- 7. Smith
- 8. Kankowski
- 9. du Preez
- 10. Steyn
- 11. Nokwe
- 12. Olivier
- 13. Fourie
- 14. Ndungane
- 15. Kirchner
- Subs:
- du Plessis
- Steenkamp
- Carstens,
- Spies
- Sykes,
- Pienaar
- F.Steyn
Match Report
The Lions ended the series on a high with an emphatic 28-9 victory over the Springboks. Two tries from Shane Williams and a third from Ugo Monye in the second-half was enough to secure victory at the Coca-Cola Pack.
The Lions were playing for pride this time as a series win was now beyond them following the crushing events of the previous two weekends. With nothing at stake the Lions battered the South Africans and turned out a performance worthy of the famous red shirt.
The tourists dominated the game from start to finish and didn't seem to be phased by the occasion. If they had lost however they would have been the first Lions side ever to be whitewashed on South Africa soil.
Jones put the first points on the board after eight minutes when he kicked an easy penalty. Having missed a slightly more difficult effort minutes before, this kick certainly boosted his confidence. The Lions came out on top in the first scrummaging battle of the afternoon as the South Africans conceded a penalty.
Much had been made of the battle between Phil Vickery and Tendai 'The Beast' Mtawarira in the first test. However this time the former England captain made no mistakes and scrummed his opponent off the park.
Bulls fly-half and Springboks hero Morne Steyn drew the scores level with a penalty in the 10th minute, keeping up his 100-per-cent record with the boot.
The first try came after 25 minutes when Welsh wing wizard Shane Williams touched down for his first try of the tour.
Ireland & Leinster No. 8 Jamie Heaslip gained possession on the Springbok 10-metre line and appeared to have been tackled. However he was not held on the ground and he regained his footing and burst into the opposition 22. Williams made an excellent supporting run to receive a one-handed pass from the Heineken Cup winner and the Lions moved 8-3 in front.
Williams scored under the posts but Jones was unable to convert as the ball fell off the kicking tee after he had begun his run up. He quickly grabbed the ball and attempted the drop goal but it skewed wide of the posts.
2008 IRB World Player of the Year Williams could not have been faulted for his efforts on tour, yet luck had not been on his side prior to what could be his final outing in Lions colours. That all changed midway through the first half in South Africa’s largest city as he followed up his first well-taken score with another poacher’s effort to send the Lions into dreamland.
Last week's man-of-the-match, second row Simon Shaw, turned over the ball in the Springboks half to set the platform for the Lions’ second try. Halfbacks Mike Phillips and Jones quickly moved the ball wide to centre Riki Flutey who deftly chipped the ball over the advancing defence. Flutey won the race to the bouncing ball before supplying the most audacious of flick passes into the arms of Williams in one fluid motion. The Welshman was in shed loads of space and he sped towards the try line unopposed and again touched down under the posts.
Jones made no mistake this time and added the extras with ease to stretch the lead to a comfortable 12 points at 15-3.
The Lions carried a healthy lead into the break but not before their hosts added another 3 points, giving the Lions a timely reminder of what had happened only a week ago. Morne Steyn stepped up to cut the lead to 15-6.
The first score in the second-half would decide the outcome of the game and fortunately it was in the Lions favour. With the Boks deep in the Lions half their inside centre Wynard Olivier threw a lengthy pass out wide, however quick witted Quins winger Monye spotted the the Bulls star’s intentions and extended his gigantic right arm to collect the ball. He then dashed a full 80 metres, with speed merchant Jongi Nokwe chasing him all the way, to score his sixth try of the tour under the posts.
A second conversion from Jones put the Lions three scores ahead at 22-6 with just over a quarter of the match remaining.
Morne Steyn again reduced the lead to 15 points as he notched a third successful penalty. Winger Odwa Ndungane was unlucky to have a try ruled out by the television match official for a foot in touch.
A further two kick from Jones in the 70th and 72nd minutes put the result beyond doubt and the Lions could finally celebrate a victory for the first time in eight years.
Having come so close in the previous two test matches they could only dream of what might have been. This impressive performance by the Lions in which they were able to maintain the high standard of play for 80 minutes, unlike the first and second tests in Durban and Pretoria respectively.
With Ian McGeechan's long term relationship with the Lions finally coming to an end he can look back and reflect on a series that slipped away from his sides grasp. He can be proud of his players as they showed immense heart and courage and produced a performance that will be remember for the next 4 years.
