LIONS THIRD TEST PREVIEW
THE FURORE surrounding South Africa coach Peter De Villiers’ defence of the Schalk Burger eye-gouging incident has ensured that anticipation for tomorrow’s ‘dead-rubber’ is still high. Many thought that the chips would be down in the Lions camp after Morne Steyn clinched the series with a remarkable last-gasp penalty on Saturday, but the tourists will be keen to avoid their first ever whitewash against South Africa.
Unfortunately for the Lions, the challenge they face tomorrow might prove to be the toughest of the tour. Not only will they be without some of their top performers, most critically centres Brian O’Driscoll and Jamie Roberts, but they will also play at the fortress of South African rugby, Coca-Cola Park in Johannesburg. The Springboks’ success here has much to do with Jo’burg’s altitude of 5,750 feet, higher even than the scene of last week’s brutal match in Pretoria. The Lions have unsuccessfully attempted to close a series with a win in the three previous final Tests played here in 1968, 1974 and 1997. In fact, the Lions have only won once at the ground, in their first Test match against the ‘Boks in 1955, by just a single point.
We have seen though that the Lions are more than capable of getting close to the Springboks, enough so to forbid siding with South Africa at 4/11. I’d rather buy total points with Sporting Index – with new introductions in both sides, the final Test should be as open as the previous two. Riki Flutey (inset) has been named for a surprise Test debut and has come close to scoring on a number of occasions during the tour. With the South Africans fielding a revamped backs line-up, he’s also worth a small bet to break through and score the first try at 16/1 with Boylesports.
POINTERS…
Buy total points at 49 with Sporting Index Riki Flutey first try-scorer at 16/1 with Boylesports