Fortune fails to favour brave

SSPRINGBOK captain John Smit warned the British and Irish Lions early last week of the lung-bursting experience at altitude in Loftus Versfeld, but he said nothing of the heart-breaking experience they’d leave it with.

The Lions almost survived the thin air, a battalion of injured stars and a Springboks resurgence, but fate intervened to allow youth win out over experience and clinch a Test series for South Africa.

We were 30 seconds away from a draw which carried the series into a Johannesburg shoot-out when Ronan O’Gara launched a high kick up the middle and followed through recklessly to tackle Fourie Du Preez in the air; from five metres inside his own half, youngster Steyn knocked over the resultant penalty and O’Gara could only hold his head in anguish.