The British & Irish Lions held on for a 26 – 24 win over a spirited Cheetahs side atVodacom Park in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

The Cheetahs missed a number of kicks at goal, which if converted would’ve made them the first Free State team to beat the Lions since 1924.

Replacement flyhalf Louis Strydom attempted a long-range drop goal with two minutes to go but unfortunately for the former Golden Lions pivot and his new team it sailed wide.

It was heartbreaking stuff for the men from Bloemfontein who gave the Lions their first real test of their 10-match tour and Ian McGeechan and his troops will certainly breathe a sigh of relief that the sands of time ran out on the hosts.

Openside flank Heinrich Brussow was outstanding for the Cheetahs as he secured turnover after turnover and tackled anything that moved.

He led the charge at the breakdown, a facet of play that the Cheetahs notably outplayed the visitors in, and was strong with ball in hand. Hooker Adriaan Strauss also had a good showing before he made way for his cousin Richardt.

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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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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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South African rugby captain John Smith is ready to anchor the Springbok scrum following a compelling statement made over the weekend about his coversion from hooker to tighthead.

And in the process he allayed Bok coach Peter de Villiers’ fears that the scrums could be troublesome against the visiting British and Irish Lions next month.

Smit, scrumming down against giant Highlanders and All Black prop Jamie Mackintosh, anchored the Sharks scrum in what was the first time this season that the highly rated Highlanders pack was pushed backwards.

In fact the 23-15 Super 14 victory by the Sharks produced two tightheads, apart from the numerous times the Highlanders backs received the ball from a retreating scrum.

The entire Sharks front row of Smit, Bismarck du Plessis and Tendai Mtawarira – and later when Deon Carstens and Jannie du Plessis stepped into the fray – deserve credit for a truly dominant performance.

However, it was the manner in which Smit stood up the man mountain that Mackintosh is – at 130kg and 192cm – that would have pleased the Bok coach most.

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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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The British and Irish Lions are planning to take on the Springboks at their own traditional strengths in the series of three Tests in June and July.

That was the reaction on Tuesday from a panel of experts approached by Sport24 following the announcement of the squad for the tour of 10 games in South Africa.

Alan Solomons, Eddie Jones, Jake White and Cobus Visagie all agreed that Ian McGeechan (head coach) made a good selection and believe the Lions will take South Africa on physically.
“The Lions are not going to be out to entertain. They have picked a very physical squad,” said Solomons, who is a former Bok assistant coach and has also been at the helm of Irish side Ulster.
He believes the choice of Paul O’Connell as captain, as well as three physical scrumhalves – Mike Phillips, Harry Ellis and Tomas O’Leary – underline that point.
“O’Connell was a very good choice as captain. He has done an excellent job at Munster and has a hard edge,” said Solomons.
“Mike Phillips reminds me of Robert du Preez (a former Blue Bulls and Springbok scrumhalf). All the scrumhalves are big and physical.
“Mike Blair and Dwayne Peel (who were omitted) are more classic scrumhalves that are perhaps better passers of the ball. This sends a clear signal on how the Lions intend playing.
“The two flyhalves (Stephen Jones and Ronan O’Gara) are good at game management. They kick well at goal and their tactical kicking is also good.”

Jones, a former Wallaby boss who coached Saracens until recently, also believes the Lions have picked a squad that can stand their ground physically.
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