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'It's a major advantage now to South Africa': Lions third Test preview

By Josh Raisey
Maro Itoje/ PA

South Africa bounced back on Saturday from their loss in the first Test, levelling the series with the British & Irish Lions with a resounding 27-9 victory, setting up an epic finale which Warren Gatland has described as a “cup final”.

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When, where and how to watch the match
The match will kick-off at 17:00 (BST) on Saturday August 7th at Cape Town Stadium.

It will be broadcast on Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland, Supersport in South Africa, Stan Sport in Australia and Sky in New Zealand.

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Mike Dawson & Mike Brown Quiz 3 (do Not use)

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Mike Dawson & Mike Brown Quiz 3 (do Not use)

Head-to-head
The Springboks’ victory extended their winning record over the Lions to 23 wins and 17 losses, including six draws. Across the last twelve matches, which includes all tours dating back to 1980, South Africa lead with seven wins and five losses.

1980
South Africa 26-24 Lions
South Africa 26-19 Lions
South Africa 12-10 Lions
South Africa 13-17 Lions

1997
South Africa 16-25 Lions
South Africa 15-18 Lions
South Africa 35-16 Lions

2009
South Africa 26-21 Lions
South Africa 28-25 Lions
South Africa 9-28 Lions

2021
South Africa 17-22 Lions
South Africa 27-9 Lions

Lions Springboks yellow cards
(Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
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Match odds from Bet365
Bet365 have South Africa as 8/13 favourites to win the third Test, with 21/20 odds that the world champions win both halves. They also have 5/6 odds that the second-half will be the highest scoring half.*

Use bonus code RUGBYPASS and Get Up to £100 in Bet Credits**

Prediction

Three-time Lions tourist and a member of the squad that lost to South Africa in 2009, Ronan O’Gara, is not confident about the visitors’ chances going into the final match of the series.

Speaking on Sky Sports after the match, the Irishman said: “I think it’s a major advantage now to South Africa.

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“They have an established game plan that they have huge trust in. It’s one think knowing the ball is coming in the air, so what Lions need to do this week is, they don’t select wingers or back three people who are good at counter attack, I think they select people who are good in the air.

“[South Africa] ruled the air this afternoon and unless the Lions sort that out, it will be the same result again.

“Where I’m scratching my head a little bit is that the Lions don’t have an established style of play, so trust is huge when it comes to shoot-outs and finals, so for me it’s hard to see what style of play we’re going to have to beat the world champions at home.”

 

*Odds accurate as of 02/08/21. BeGambleAware.org 18+ Gamble Responsibly

**New customers only. Min deposit £5. Bet Credits available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply.

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A
Adrian 1 hours ago
Will the Crusaders' decline spark a slow death for New Zealand rugby?

Thanks Nick The loss of players to OS, injury and retirement is certainly not helping the Crusaders. Ditto the coach. IMO Penny is there to hold the fort and cop the flak until new players and a new coach come through,…and that's understood and accepted by Penny and the Crusaders hierarchy. I think though that what is happening with the Crusaders is an indicator of what is happening with the other NZ SRP teams…..and the other SRP teams for that matter. Not enough money. The money has come via the SR competition and it’s not there anymore. It's in France, Japan and England. Unless or until something is done to make SR more SELLABLE to the NZ/Australia Rugby market AND the world rugby market the $s to keep both the very best players and the next rung down won't be there. They will play away from NZ more and more. I think though that NZ will continue to produce the players and the coaches of sufficient strength for NZ to have the capacity to stay at the top. Whether they do stay at the top as an international team will depend upon whether the money flowing to SRP is somehow restored, or NZ teams play in the Japan comp, or NZ opts to pick from anywhere. As a follower of many sports I’d have to say that the organisation and promotion of Super Rugby has been for the last 20 years closest to the worst I’ve ever seen. This hasn't necessarily been caused by NZ, but it’s happened. Perhaps it can be fixed, perhaps not. The Crusaders are I think a symptom of this, not the cause

11 Go to comments
T
Trevor 4 hours ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

21 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 8 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

29 Go to comments
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