O'Gara shocked by less-than-regal opponents

Ian McGeechan will today get down to business of selecting his British and Irish Lions team for the opening Test match against world champions South Africa.

McGeechan must feel relieved his squad is largely in one piece following a bruising and often brutal appointment with the Southern Kings in Port Elizabeth yesterday.

Prop Euan Murray flew to Durban last night nursing a sprained ankle, while fly-half James Hook took a blow to the head after an encounter best described by Hook's replacement Ronan O'Gara.

"They were more interested in kicking lumps out of us than scoring or keeping the score down," said the Ireland Grand Slam winner, of an ill-disciplined Southern Kings display.

"The other teams we've faced have been passionate and proud, but these guys fancied themselves to take a scalp.

"But we were prepared for what they threw at us and we controlled things well in the second half."

O'Gara could easily have put himself into match-day contention for the first Test on Saturday, although most of McGeechan's choices appear straightforward.

There will be debate about Martyn Williams or David Wallace for openside flanker - a left-field choice would be to field them both, with Wallace at blindside - while Ugo Monye looks set for a wing spot after claiming his fourth tour try at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.

McGeechan, who announces the Test XV on Thursday, was quick to hail his team's composure after they saw off a side that had two players yellow-carded.

There was ill-feeling immediately after the game when rival fly-halves O'Gara and Jaco van der Westhuyzen were involved in a pushing match.

Lions centre Gordon D'Arcy, meanwhile, appeared to refuse to shake hands with his opposite number De Wet Barry.

Barry had been a midfield terminator for the Southern Kings, especially during a ferocious first-half scarred by several late tackles from a number of players.

The Lions though held their nerve, building from a 3-3 interval scoreline to triumph 20-8 courtesy of a Monye try, a penalty try and 10 points from substitute fly-half O'Gara.

"They (Southern Kings) wanted to make a game of it," said McGeechan.

"It was pretty full-on, and we had to keep enough composure to win the game, which was the very pleasing aspect of it.

"I am really proud of the discipline we showed - it showed the players' focus - and they got their just reward.

"I thought we were very professional, which is what I was proud of. The players responded very well to each other.

"They wanted to produce a tough game for us, and they did that. They were keen to do well against us, and that's fine."

However, while the Lions made it six successive tour wins, it was undoubtedly their toughest work-out so far.

"We know they are a very physical side - they've made their intent known to try and beat South Africa physically," said Southern Kings coach Alan Solomons.

"And we were certainly determined not to give them an easy ride physically. We didn't want to disappoint them."

Solomons, the former Ulster and Northampton coach, believes the Lions must beat South Africa on Saturday - or struggle to stay in the three-match Test series.

He added: "They simply have to win the first Test. If they don't, they will make a rod for their own backs with two games to come on the High Veld.

"I believe the Test match on Saturday is going to be a massive physical contest. If the Lions lose, they've got a very difficult road ahead."