Springboks v Georgia & British & Irish Lions v Lions Predictions

The wait is finally over as the Springboks return in a historic Test against Georgia while the British & Irish Lions kick-off their South African safari against their Johannesburg namesakes this weekend, writes Quintin van Jaarsveld.

It’s been 19 long months since their glorious World Cup triumph in Japan, but on Friday night, the Springboks are finally back as they welcome the Lelos to Loftus Versfeld in the first of two fixtures ahead of the much-anticipated three-Test series against the all-stars from the North, who touched down on South African soil on Monday. 

British & Irish Lions Tour: Provincial Players With Most To Gain

After getting a glimpse of what to expect from the world champions, the British & Irish Lions will look to lay down a marker in their tour-opening encounter against the Lions at Ellis Park on Saturday evening. With three Covid cases in the Springbok camp coming to light last Sunday, hours before President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a return to lockdown level 4, kick-off can’t come soon enough.

South Africa v Georgia (7 PM on Friday)

The pandemic has deprived the Springboks of a chance to build on the seismic momentum they built when they returned to the summit of world rugby in the Land of the Rising Sun. After the highest of highs in November 2019 came an unprecedented catastrophe and agonising wait.

On Friday night, a sleeping giant finally emerges from its slumber, albeit minus several first-choice players due to Covid obstacles in all forms. On Friday night, Jacques Nienaber finally takes charge of his first Test as head coach, a position he inherited from Rassie Erasmus, who stepped down after the masterful 32-12 triumph over England in the World Cup final to focus solely on his position as director of rugby. 

Springboks Selection – The Biggest Talking Points

On their first-ever visit to South Africa, Georgia have arrived as an ultra-motivated side sniffing an opportunity to shock the world against a stitched-together Springbok team. They are nothing if not passionate and physical, so in that respect, they’ll be a welcome test for the Springboks, particularly for the local players who’ve been forced to battle among themselves in three consecutive domestic competitions over the last few months.  

The Bulls’ thumping by Benetton in the Rainbow Cup final showed the difference in international intensity (and Northern Hemisphere refereeing, which will come into play in the Test series), so best believe it’ll be a bruising battle. Given the hosts have to make do without many key players and the fact that they have just two hit-outs before they line up opposite the British & Irish Lions, there are so many boxes to tick that there is a danger of overcomplicating things in the Georgia Tests. 

Given their history and reputation as master strategists, however, Erasmus and Nienaber won’t fall into that trap easily and while their charges could struggle to find their rhythm initially, they’ll come away with a decisive victory in the end. 

Lions v British & Irish Lions (7 PM on Saturday)

While the sailing has been considerably smoother for the British & Irish Lions than it has for the Springboks, captain Alun Wyn Jones’ shoulder injury in last Saturday’s 28-10 warm-up win over Japan at Murrayfield threw a spanner in the works. With the record-setting Welsh legend’s tour over before it began, Warren Gatland and his lieutenants were forced to adjust and backed decorated Irish scrumhalf Conor Murray to lead the invasion while calling up Adam Beard and Josh Navidi to replace Jones and Justin Tipuric, whose journey also ended in Edinburgh because of injury.

As you’d expect, the British & Irish Lions were sure to keep their cards close to their chests in their maiden hit-out. What they did show, though, was class and glimpses of what they’re capable of. The ease with which Gatland’s charges despatched the Brave Blossoms – who lest we forget, upset Ireland and Scotland to reach the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time on home soil in 2019 – was the New Zealand-born mastermind’s way of revving the engine but not popping the hood. 

British Lions Squad Talking Points: Wyn Jones, Simmonds, SA Flavour and More

The Lions lying in wait for them on Saturday are perhaps not the most physical of the four South African franchises but by no means does that mean the tourists’ opening assignment will be a walk in the park. Come Sunday morning, they’ll know they were in a catfight of note, especially with the form of beastly enforcer, Ruben Schoeman. 

Altitude will also be a factor. Yes, the British & Irish Lions have left no stone unturned in training, but the travel and thin Johannesburg air will shave off at least a couple of points, add a bit more sting to the collisions and make the recovery process just that little bit more, shall we say, uncomfortable.

As fired up as the local players will be and are expected to play above themselves, there’s no more important match in the lead-up to the Test series for the British & Irish Lions than the tour opener, which they traditionally use to signal their arrival and set the tone for their planned hostile takeover. As a result, I’m expecting the tourists to roar to a commanding win.