1997 Lions Test Matches Against South Africa
British and Irish Lions Beat World Champion Springboks
After an easy win in the first game, the Lions were served notice of how tough the tour was going to be when they struggled to beat unfancied Border, sneaking through 18-14. The Lions suffered their only reverse of the tour to Northern Transvaal, losing 35-30 in a high scoring game. Scott Gibbs became the first Lions player ever to be suspended in this match, receiving a one match ban for a punch.
8,000 fans made the trip from the UK and the search for British Lions tickets was all encompassing. However, even the most steadfast supporter was worried when the Lions Test team for the first test was announced. There were a number of shocks in the team selected. Instead of selecting the props from the dominant England side, McGeechan chose Paul Wallace from Ireland and Scot Tom Smith. It turned out to be a master stroke, the smaller Celtic props forced the Springbok giants to pack lower than they wanted to, diffusing the power of the South African scrum.
British Lions Team 1st Test - Springboks 16–25 Lions
The Lions expected an onslaught from the Springboks in the first test and they got it. The South Africans ran in two tries from Du Randt and Bennett and only Neil Jenkins kept the Lions in the game, nailing five penalties. The game changed, when Dawson broke from a Lions scrum. He was covered by four Springboks who all bought his outrageous dummy allowing him to scamper into the corner untouched. The game was put out of sight of the Springboks when Tait scored late on.
1, Tom Smith (Sco), 2, Keith Woods (Ire), 3, Paul Wallace (Ire), 4, Martin Johnson (Eng) Captain,
5, Jeremy Davidson, (Ire), 6, Laurence Dallaglio (Eng), 7, Richard Hill (Eng), 8, Tim Rodber (Eng),
9, Matt Dawson (Eng), 10, Gregor Townsend (Sco), 11, Tait (Sco), 12, Jeremy Guscott (Eng),
13, Scott Gibbs (Wal), 14, Ieuan Evans (Wal), 15, Neil Jenkins (Wal)
British Lions Team 2nd Test – Springboks 15–18 Lions
McGeechan kept faith with his winning side from the first test, the only change being John Bentley playing instead of injured Ieuan Evans.
McGeechan, unlike the Springbok Coach Carel Du Plessis, had seen the importance of selecting his best kicker and Jenkins repaid his faith by kicking five penalties, despite looking decidedly shaky in his inexperienced role of full back. The Springboks who went into the game without a regular kicker didn’t land a single kick and despite them scoring three tries to nil, the Lions won the game and the series with a late drop goal from Guscott.
1, Tom Smith (Sco), 2, Keith Woods (Ire), 3, Paul Wallace (Ire), 4, Martin Johnson (Eng) Captain,
5, Jeremy Davidson, (Ire), 6, Laurence Dallaglio (Eng), 7, Richard Hill (Eng), 8, Tim Rodber (Eng),
9, Matt Dawson (Eng), 10, Gregor Townsend (Sco), 11, Tait (Sco), 12, Jeremy Guscott (Eng),
13, Scott Gibbs (Wal), 14, Ieuan Evans (Wal), 15, Neil Jenkins (Wal)
British Lions Team 3rd Test – Springboks 35–16 Lions
The final test in Johannesburg proved a game too far. The Lions, already depleted by injuries suffered a ‘flu virus before the game and McGeechan virtually selected anyone still standing. The situation was made even worse by Ellis Park’s location at altitude. The Springboks, who had never been whitewashed in a home test series, ran riot, winning 35-16, scoring three tries in the process.
1, Tom Smith (Sco), 2, Mark Regan (Eng), 3, Paul Wallace (Ire), 4, Martin Johnson (Eng) Captain,
5, Jeremy Davidson, (Ire), 6, Rob Wainright (Sco), 7, Neil Back (Eng), 8, Tim Rodber (Eng),
9, Matt Dawson (Eng), 10, Mike Catt (Eng), 11, Tait (Sco), 12, Jeremy Guscott (Eng),
13, Scott Gibbs (Wal), 14, Ieuan Evans (Wal), 15, Neil Jenkins (Wal)
Table Mountain, Cape Town, Venue 1st Lions Test
|
What do you think about this article?
Latest Articles