THE British and Irish Lions were denied a 100% non-Test record in dramatic fashion in wet and windy Newlands last night – hit with an injury time seven-pointer after an indifferent, error-ridden, display.

IAN MCGEECHAN might well have good cause to thank his Springbok rival Peter de Villiers for leaving out the Cheetahs’ back row man Heinrick Brussow from his 28-man squad to face the British & Irish Lions this month.

Cheetahs 24 British & Irish Lions 26

Shaun Edwards admitted the sinbinning of Stephen Ferris had been the turning point after the British and Lions scraped home to a 26-24 win over the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein.

Cheetahs 24 British & Irish Lions 26

Cheetahs 14 British and Irish Lions 23

NEW ZEALAND pounced on numerous errors by the South Africans to take the George title of the IRB World Sevens series when they downed the hosts 24-17 in the final on Saturday.