The British and Irish Lions go 1-0 in the Test Series

July 24, 2021
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Ultimate Rugby

The British and Irish Lions have gone 1-0 up the test series against the Springboks after a hard-fought 17-22 victory over Jacques Nienaber's charges.

The Springboks started as the brighter of the two sides and took a 12-3 lead into halftime. Handre Pollard nailed two penalties in the first 20 minutes before Dan Biggar responded for the tourists. Pollard extended the lead to 12-3 by the 30th minute. The Lions had their chances to close the gap before halftime with both Daly and Biggar missing opportunities for three points.

The Lions came charging out in the second half. An error from an Ali Price box kick saw Kwagga Smith get caught ball and all conceding a penalty. The Lions set up the lineout inside the Springboks 22. The maul was set and the Lions rumbled over the line with Luke Cowan-Dickie coming up with the ball over the line. The Springboks would have a try ruled out as Willie Le Roux was judged to be in front of a kick by Lukhanyo Am but they got their five-pointer soon after as Faf de Klerk dotted down. Pieter-Steph du Toit did well to dummy and send Makazole Mapimpi charging down the flank. He toed the ball on and du Toit almost regathered but left the ball behind him. Du Toit pounced and de Klerk ripped the ball off the winger to score. Pollard missed the conversion as the Springboks went into a 17-10 lead.

Biggar slotted two penalties in quick succession for the tourists as they made it a one-point game as the Springboks ill-discipline was punished. After the hour mark, Biggar put the Lions ahead 17-19. Pollard missed a chance to put the Springboks back ahead as the two sides threw attacking blows in the final quarter.

The Springboks had another try chalked off as Cheslin Kolbe was judged to half spilt the ball forward in the build-up. Owen Farrell added another penalty in the 77th minute to make it a five-point advantage. The Springboks knocked on the door with a long phase attack in the final moments of the game but a rip and steal by Itoje and Beirne sealed the result for the Lions.