sport news Lions vs South Africa form guide: Courtney Lawes will be key but Lukhanyo Am ...

sport news Lions vs South Africa form guide: Courtney Lawes will be key but Lukhanyo Am ...
sport news Lions vs South Africa form guide: Courtney Lawes will be key but Lukhanyo Am ...

The second Test between South Africa and the British and Irish Lions takes place on Saturday after the Lions earned a memorable comeback win in their first encounter.

Warren Gatland's side lead 1-0 after beating the world champions 22-17 in Cape Town last week and can wrap up a series win with one game to spare.

Ahead of the crucial match, Sportsmail's NIK SIMON has rated the players' form going into the second Test...  

The British and Irish Lions take on South Africa in the second Test of their tour on Saturday

The British and Irish Lions take on South Africa in the second Test of their tour on Saturday

Sportsmail has ranked both sets of players' form going into the crucial match this weekend

Sportsmail has ranked both sets of players' form going into the crucial match this weekend

FULL BACK 

Willie le Roux (South Africa) - 6  

AGE: 31 CAPS: 63

Will be targeted with more high balls but dangerous on the counter-attack.

Stuart Hogg (Lions) - 6

AGE: 29 CAPS: 86

Needs to get to grips with poor pitch if he wants to complete series win.

WING

Cheslin Kolbe (South Africa) - 6

AGE: 27 CAPS: 15

World's best wing but underused in first Test and had few chances.

The Lions need to stop Cheslin Kolbe, who is considered to be one of the world's best wingers

The Lions need to stop Cheslin Kolbe, who is considered to be one of the world's best wingers

Anthony Watson (Lions) - 7

AGE: 27 CAPS: 55

Looked dangerous on the ball but needs more chances to show off his footwork.

CENTRE    

Lukhanyo Am (South Africa) - 8

AGE: 27 CAPS: 16

Ferocious speed forced Lions midfield to drop balls and concede turnovers.

Lukhanyo Am's ferocious speed forced Lions midfield to drop balls and concede turnovers

Lukhanyo Am's ferocious speed forced Lions midfield to drop balls and concede turnovers

Chris Harris (Lions) - 7

AGE: 30 CAPS: 28

More defensive than Daly and remarkable rise from his university third XV. 

CENTRE 

Damian de Allende (South Africa) - 7

AGE: 29 CAPS: 48

Powerful operator showed no signs of rustiness after recovering from burns.

Robbie Henshaw (Lions) - 7

AGE: 28 CAPS: 53

Needs to box smart and not be caught out by rush defence in his own half.

WING    

Makazole Mapimpi (South Africa) - 6

AGE: 31 CAPS: 15

Causes problems with grubber kicks but needs to be given more ball to shine 

Duhan van der Merwe (Lions) - 7

AGE: 26 CAPS: 11

Must maintain intense kick-chase pressure on Kolbe to deny him space.

Scottish winger Duhan van der Merwe (right) also faces a huge test in trying to contain Kolbe

Scottish winger Duhan van der Merwe (right) also faces a huge test in trying to contain Kolbe

FLY-HALF 

Handre Pollard (South Africa) - 6

AGE: 27 CAPS: 50

Needs to sharpen up his goal kicking and improve territorial kicking.

Dan Biggar (Lions) - 7

AGE: 31 CAPS: 93

Will stick to heavy kicking game after passing concussion protocols.

SCRUM-HALF

Faf de Klerk (South Africa) - 8

AGE: 29 CAPS:

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