Hello everyone! Welcome back to another presentation on IN THE WHITE. Hope you all are fine and coping well with the new normal. Today, I am glad to bring you part 2 on LIONS TOUR of SOUTH AFRICA 2021. In this part of the writing series, I will be providing an overview on Game 1 and see what the results mean for each side ahead of game 2 this weekend. Then, I will provide lineups for both sides and conclude with my expectations and prediction for second game of this series.
Overview of Game 1
The CASTLE LAGER LIONS SERIES 2021 officially kicked off last weekend at Cape Town Stadium where the BRITISH & IRISH LIONS emerged victorious over the SPRINGBOKS by 22-17.
A strong 2nd half from the visitors saw them overturn a 12-3 halftime deficit.
In general, the game started off well with both sides battling for territory. It was an old fusion kicking battle as I had expected and mentioned in my match preview earlier on.
Looking at the two halves, the first half definitely belongs to the South Africa with four penalty goals from the boots of Handre Pollard, the man who captained the Springboks for this particular test as it marked his 50th test match for his country.
A lot of penalties were being considered by the Lions with handling errors especially while contesting the ball in the air and normal passing, alongside a couple of lineouts that were scrappy at the beginning as well.
A couple of penalty goals were also missed by the visitors within the first 40 minutes, apart from just the one that went between the posts earlier in the half by Dan Biggar.
The second half got off to a flyer with Luke Cowan-Dickie scoring the first try of the match and the series, after which the hosts responded with a try of their own by Faf de Klerk.
A key point for the Springbok defeat could be attributed to a couple of decisions that did not go their way in the second half, with two tries being denied by the Television Match Official (TMO) reasoning one as a “knock on” and the other being described as “player was in front of the kicker”, this one was a 50/50 call as it look that way.
Despite the denials, South Africa’s performance in the second 40 minutes was totally opposite the first as they constantly lost the ball, missed two penalties and a conversion, which meant dropping 8 points that certainly made the difference I can say.
The restarts, high balls and lineouts were not going as planned. Even a number of penalties were given away at the breakdowns and during scrums. Basically whatever was happening to the Lions in the first half, the same happened to their opposition in the second half.
What does this mean for Game 2?
For the Springboks it’s back to the drawing board, working on major error that really let them down in the series opener.
It’s also about getting the discipline right and staying focused is key, knowing that they are 1-0 down in the series, it is necessary that players remain consistent, work on their individual game, learn from their mistakes of the previous game and remain committed to the very important task ahead.
For the Lions, the win was a welcome boost given how well they have performed on the tour so far.
The second half was ecstatic, given how they kept the ball, contested brilliantly at restarts, lineout and even one or two scrums. There’s no doubt the visitors will look to start from where they left off.
There’s also no two ways about the fact that this second game is as crucial as it is for South Africa because a win gives them the CASTLE LAGER LIONS SERIES TITLE and puts them 2-0 up in this three match series.
SQUADS
SOUTH AFRICA
BRITISH & IRISH LIONS
Expectations & Predictions for Game 2
I expect the Boks’ to come out firing in this second test with emphasis on a lot that’s at stake, especially the point I made earlier on that only win can keep the series hopes alive for the hosts, while a defeat means the trophy is going out of South Africa.
I have a strong feeling that the Springboks are going win this weekend and level the series at 1 apiece.
I know the BRITISH & IRISH LIONS will be determined to get the double bubble over their opponents but this time I give the edge to the SPRINGBOKS.
With that being said, I wish both sets of players the very best for this crucial encounter.
Thank you and relive the moments from game 1 by watching the highlights below.
IN THE WHITE 