In 1997 we had two extra weeks and five more games to get ready for a very intense series, and it is uncanny how these Lions tours always seem to come after South Africa have become world champions!
It means less time for preparation and tactical adjustments, and at the same time the current world champions look very strong, particularly up front.
South Africa look very destructive and confident, and they have the bonus of having a good half-back pairing of Faf de Klerk and Handre Pollard – just as they did in 1997 with Joost van der Westhuizen and Henry Honiball.
You have to respect what Rassie Erasmus has achieved as coach, given that when he first started two years before the 2019 World Cup the number of games South Africa were losing was not funny. However, they rose to the challenge of the tournament at the right time, and produced everything perfectly when they had to in the final.
My feeling is that South Africa will only get better, mainly because, until the final, I don’t think we saw them at their best in the World Cup.
It is a very good thing that the Lions have Warren Gatland as their head coach again, because, going into his third tour in charge, no-one knows better than him what is required.
He will be keeping a close eye on what South Africa do, and will already be aware that their De KlekPollard half-back pairing is unlikely to change from the World Cup, and that the same applies to most of their backline, with Damian de Allende, Lukhanyo Am, Cheslin Kolbe, Makazole Mapimpi, and Willie Le Roux still around.
It is also possible that Frans Steyn, now 32, could continue as a utility back during the series.
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