The Lions' serene progress towards the Test series was shattered on Wednesday as they ran into a damaging world-champion ambush here which left their unbeaten tour record in ruins.
A powerful, resilient Springboks side masquerading as South Africa ‘A’ lowered the tourists’ colours in a result of vast significance for the serious business to come – masterminded from pitch-side by Rassie Erasmus, the architect of the 2019 World Cup triumph.
After three easy tour wins thus far, each yielding a half-century of points in their favour, the Lions faced their first real test which was very much a full Test and they could not handle the step up in intensity and class.
Taulupe Faletau (right) of the British & Irish Lions in action against South Africa A in Cape Town
This was the Boks – sorry, South Africa ‘A’ – after minimal preparation time. This was what they could achieve after they spent the best part of a week in total lockdown due to a COVID outbreak in their squad.
Just imagine what they could be capable of if they are able to avoid any further positive cases and welcome back captain Siya Kolisi and others from isolation to restore them to full strength. The Lions could deploy a very different team on July 24, but so could their rivals.
A good news day turned into a bad-news night. Hours after the return of ‘Lazarus’ skipper Alun Wyn Jones was duly confirmed – and after Gregor Townsend and Stuart Hogg had belatedly rejoined the main tour party from Johannesburg – this was a come-down occasion.
Lukhanyo Am (centre) darts past the challenges of two Lions players on his way to scoring
Lukhanyo Am (No 13) is congratulated by team-mate Franco Mostert after scoring a try
On top of the defeat itself, Gatland was left to fret on injury scares involving Liam Williams and the best performer on the night – Wales prop Wyn Jones.
Before kick-off, the Lions were forced into late changes to their line-up for this fixture. Dan Biggar had ‘rolled his ankle’ in training the previous day so, with the Test series approaching, Warren Gatland opted to replace the Welshman who is favourite to wear the No 10 shirt. England captain Owen Farrell was brought in to take over the playmaker duties.
There was also a back-three reshuffle as Wales wing Josh Adams was withdrawn from the match in order to stay on a Zoom link to join the birth of his daughter from afar. His absence meant that compatriot Liam Williams was drafted into the Lions side but he did not last long.
The Scarlets full-back appeared to go over painfully on his ankle when he was tackled after claiming a high ball early on and he
