The Cape of Good Hope?

IT’S A LIONS tour, but not as we know it. Something is missing. That manic fervour and commitment that the All Blacks were subjected to last November in Thomond Park has been strangely absent in the first five games of this tour – and it’s also missing off the field.

Twelve years ago when Jeremy Guscott famously dropped that goal to win the series for the visitors, the Lions tour was wall-to-wall in this country.

It was impossible to go anywhere in Durban, Cape Town, Pretoria or Johannesburg without appreciating that some seismic rugby event was taking place.

The local media coverage was at saturation point at the thought that only two years after François Pienaar inspired a country to unite in their quest to win the World Cup for the first time, they could possibly lose a series to an unfancied Lions outfit.

Much has changed in this country since, mainly for the better but it is significant and noticeable that rugby does not dominate the hearts and minds of the people as it once did. Perhaps that helps to explain why so many young professional rugby players, notwithstanding the financial incentives, choose to ply their trade abroad. It also accounts for why some of the provincial opposition has been so poor.

In comparison with the media coverage for the Confederations Cup in soccer, being played at various venues in South Africa at present, the Lions tour is only receiving about 25% of the equivalent coverage. It must be strange for the younger generation of Lions players to experience the relative apathy on the part of the Springbok supporters. It is in marked contrast to the vast swarms of Lions supporters, the majority of whom are Welsh, who hang about on the team hotel hoping for a glimpse of their heroes.

It has been a difficult few days for the Lions as they attempt to dissect and digest the implications of Saturday’s test. In the midst of that, the management had to prepare the team for a crucial contest against the best young uncapped talent in South Africa for Tuesday night’s match against the Emerging Springboks.

Many of the Lions players on duty were aware that in all probability that game would be their last offering for the tour given that there is no midweek game next week. They carried a heavy responsibility to get the show back on the road and it showed at times.

This is where the character of a tour party is tested to the full. Despite the last-gasp draw secured by the amazing touch-line conversation by substitute Willem de Waal, the Lions players have much to be proud of.

In conditions that would test the resolve of any group of players, Ronan O’Gara’s side remained positive and inventive but unfortunately lost their way in the final quarter.

While there will be disappointment at surrendering their seven-point margin right at the death, it was important not to lose to the same green and gold jersey twice in the space of four days. The Lions also showed strength in adversity when forced to play two props, Tim Payne and John Hayes, who only introduced themselves to the other players the day before the match. After the calamitous events of Durban, the last thing the Lions needed was the sight of another retreating scrum.

Among those to emerge with considerable credit were Keith Earls and Luke Fitzgerald, who were starring together in an Irish schools side only a few seasons ago. After his rocky start in Rustenburg, Earls has more than justified his inclusion in the tour party and has thrived with the bit of extra space available from full-back. It is hard to believe he has just completed his first full season. Munster and Ireland will be well served for a decade to come.

Fitzgerald defended magnificently and his early withdrawal before Shane Williams when Ugo Monye was introduced in the second half suggests to me that he will be one of a number of changes when the test side is announced at lunch-time today. Adam Jones and Matthew Rees look certain to come in to bolster the front row while Alun-Wyn Jones is struggling to hold on to his second row slot. At least on this occasion the Lions pack know exactly what to expect.

On Saturday in Loftus Versfeld, the passionate home of the Blue Bulls is likely to be far more representative of the traditional support for the Bokke in this country. By restricting changes to the bare minimum – just one alteration, the return of powerhouse flanker Schalk Burger – the Springbok management are sending a very clear message to their team: go out and finish the job.

While the Lions will not be happy to see Burger back in the mix, they will be pleased the Boks’ midfield remains unaltered. Jean de Villiers has had a lot of injury problems this season and is lacking match sharpness. He is a far better player than he looked at times at the ABSA Stadium. Apart from that miraculous try-saving effort on Moyne in the opening 10 minutes he was well off the pace, and his defensive understanding with Adi Jacobs was non-existent. Jacque Fourie, a strong abrasive midfield general was favoured to regain his place at the expense of Jacobs, but both have been offered a reprieve.

By going for five forwards on the bench, the Springbok management have a clear vision of where Saturday’s test will be won. By retaining Heinrich Brussow along with Danie Rossouw and Andries Bekker the Boks are going for a power play. The only thing certain is that a lot more thought will be given by the Springbok management as to the timing of their introduction. The errors of last Saturday are unlikely to be repeated.

The Lions have chosen to remain at sea level here in Cape Town until the day before the game as conventional wisdom suggests that you either play at altitude within 24 hours of arrival or else you need eight days to acclimatise. In that opening game in Rustenburg they did neither and almost paid the price. They too are learning valuable lessons as this tour reaches a climax. Unfortunately they have reached the point where there is no more room for error.