Peter Jackson: Lions saved by Judge Jonker whose impartiality they questioned

TMO Marius Jonker's impartiality made the Lions hierarchy look mean-spirited, at best

Lions captain Alun Wyn Jones talks to referee Nic Berry during the first Test against South Africa at Cape Town Stadium. Picture: David Rogers/Getty Images

As Judge Jonker from Kimberley examined the evidence, the Lions stood teetering on the edge of an abyss almost as deep as The Big Hole in His Honour’s diamond-mining hometown.

For better or worse, the match, perhaps even the series, hinged on the verdict. Australian referee Nic Berry declaring a Springbok try, subject to forensic inspection, was not the only reason why 15 men in red on the pitch and tens of thousands in Lions’ shirts clustered around the rugby planet feared the worst.