Lions in SA
Naas: Beware the Lions
2009-05-22 11:26
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Johannesburg - Naas Botha, former Springbok captain and a member of the 1980 team which played the British Lions, has labelled the 2009 tourists "a fantastic team" and believes the three-Test series will be a lot closer than many of his countrymen believes.
The former flyhalf who is now a media rugby analyst says he is expecting a "very close" series.
"Many in South Africa think it's going to be easy for the Springboks. I'm telling you it's not. I'd be very, very surprised if it's 3-0 as some are suggesting," Botha said.
But he is backing the world champions to get the better of Ian McGeechan's men.
"I think the Springboks should win the series, but only because they are world champions and have a strong core which has been together for a long time.
"Also, the fact the Boks are on home soil and playing two of the Tests on the Highveld counts in their favour."
But Botha is hugely impressed with the squad McGeechan has assembled and especially cautious of underestimating a team coached by the man who orchestrated the 1997 series win over South Africa.
"The biggest thing going for the Lions is McGeechan and his coaching staff. They're a very experienced team who have proved themselves before.
"They're not going to make it easy for the Boks. In fact, with the kind of forwards they've selected, they're going to be competing on an equal footing."
Botha is expecting the 2009 Lions to play a similar style of rugby to the 1974 team. On that occasion the Willie John McBride-led tourists pulled off a shock 3-1 series success over the Springboks.
"It looks like they're going to try and play a forwards-orientated game, just like in 1974. They've picked some big, experienced forwards, believing they need to match the Boks up front if they're to have a say in the series.
"It's important to remember the conditions in the northern hemisphere are very different to what the Springboks are used to down here.
"They play a far more physical game up north and often the matches are a lot tighter with the packs doing plenty of work.
"Here in South Africa, the ball is used more by the backs, so perhaps, tactically, the Lions will be in better shape than the Boks to play the physical game," says Botha.
"However, the Lions look like a side who're good enough to play it tight when the occasion demands, but also play it wide. They're a very balanced squad."
But Botha is encouraged by the form of many of the men Springbok coach Peter de Villiers will put his faith in.
"The majority of the Springboks who'll be involved in the Tests have shown good form in the Super 14 and a number of other players have also been sticking their hands up. Competition for places is very strong, and that's always a good thing.
"Overall, the two sides will be very evenly matched, and we're certainly in for a treat."
Which Lions should the Boks be particularly wary of?
"Paul O'Connell, obviously, will be big for them in a number of ways. Andy Powell should not be taken lightly and then, of course, players such as Lee Byrne, Mike Phillips and flyhalves Ronan O'Gara and Stephen Jones will play crucial roles."