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.
Denne historien er fra March 29, 2020-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra March 29, 2020-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
England show who's No.1
ENGLAND women’s head coach John Mitchell says his side will take valuable lessons from the 24-12 win over world champions New Zealand as they build towards their WXV1 title defence.
Skivington: We're going to roll dice and go for it
THE Cherry and Whites are the enigmas of the Premiership.
Looking to go one step beyond this time around
NE small step is what it will take for Bath to go one better than last season and secure the Premiership for the first time, but it would be one of the biggest taken by the club in the professional era.
Four-try England make it 17 wins on the spin
ENGLAND women opened the Allianz Stadium era at HQ with a victory over New Zealand to make it 17 wins on the bounce before their WXV title defence.
Time for Borthwick to prove his worth
HONEYMOON periods are not set in stone and in my estimation Steve Borthwick’s ends this summer. Don’t get me wrong, he’s still in good shape.
Barrington ready to power up the Mob
RICHARD Barrington has signed up to the Ampthill “Mob” reassured that he’ll still have a target on his back most weeks.
Skivington keen to build identity
GLOUCESTER won their first trophy for nine years last season and reached the Challenge Cup final, but when George Skivington went on holiday the day after the campaign ended the words in his head were never again.
Roebuck targets England success
WINNING a maiden England Test cap to top the best season of his career will not be enough for Sale winger Tom Roebuck.
Booth: Tough telling players I was leaving
TOBY Booth admits telling his Ospreys players that he would be leaving at the end of the season was one of the hardest things he has had to do in his career.
Stephens' debut try sees off old rivals
DORKING had to dig deep in another tight game between two old rivals, with the lead changing hands twice and result in doubt right up to the final whistle.
