Late Lions comeback not enough to beat Boks

South Africa 26 British and Irish Lions 21

South Africa withstood a spirited late fightback from the British and Irish Lions to win the first Test in Durban.

The powerful Springboks had battered the Lions into submission to take a 26-7 lead after just 46 minutes.

John Smit and Heinrich Brussow scored the tries as the Springboks bossed the forward battle, with prop Tendai Mtawarira in destructive form.

The Lions hit back in a defiant final 20 minutes, with Tom Croft adding to his first-half try and Mike Phillips darting under the posts.

But it was too little too late as the Springboks took charge of the series.