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British and Irish Lions vs South Africa LIVE: Second test result and reaction in Cape Town

Makazole Mapimpi and Lukhanyo Am scored tries to turn the tide after a 9-6 deficit at half-time

Harry Latham-Coyle
Saturday 31 July 2021 15:04 EDT
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British and Irish Lions in numbers

South Africa’s backs Makazole Mapimpi and Lukhanyo Am scored second half tries as the Springboks beat the British & Irish Lions 27-9 to win Saturday’s second test at the Cape Town Stadium and level the series.

Handre Pollard added five penalties and a conversion for a 17-point contribution while the Lions points all came off the boot of Dan Biggar in a niggly and ill-tempered contest that again was one for the purists rather than the enthusiast.

The result sets up a decider next Saturday after the Lions had won an attritional first test 22-17.

The Lions were 9-6 up at halftime but the Springboks bounced back with a dominant second half performance that turned the tide of the game.

“Momentum swings both ways,” Robbie Henshaw said on Sky Sports. “South Africa came out in the second half and got a bit of an edge on us in an arm-wrestle game. But a positive is that in the final Test next week, it is all to play for, which makes it exciting.

“We have to pick ourselves up next week and come back stronger. It is all to play for next week. It is finals rugby and at the top level. Everyone is going to be up for it, so it is going to be an exciting week.”

South Africa 3-3 Lions, 14 minutes

South Africa mistime their maul sack as the drive is set before their collapse. The Lions will advance further into South African territory with another kick for touch.

Pieter-Steph du Toit appears to be struggling a little after receiving early treatment on his shoulder. Could be one to watch.

Harry Latham-Coyle31 July 2021 17:21

South Africa 3-3 Lions, 13 minutes

Eventually the Lions reset and win a couple of collisions in quick succession, so South Africa poke a ball through, but the Lions have the numbers there to gather.

Makazole Mapimpi appears to then get in perfect position to win a jackal turnover for holding on, but is deemed to have failed to release. I’m not sure - a Lions penalty, nonetheless.

Harry Latham-Coyle31 July 2021 17:20

South Africa 3-3 Lions, 11 minutes

Excellent from South Africa. They put pressure on the restart and manage to win it back at the first ruck, and immediately play with tempo and a bit more invention, Cheslin Kolbe well handled by Jack Conan as he looked to make the most of a sliver of space on the right.

Handre Pollard is bringing his runners into the game nicely with the Springboks playing off of the ten a couple of times, but otherwise it is those big forwards on Faf de Klerk’s shoulder.

Harry Latham-Coyle31 July 2021 17:18

PENALTY! South Africa 3-3 LIONS (Dan Biggar penalty, 10 minutes)

Dan Biggar swipes the ball between the uprights. Just left of centre, close range - no mistake from the Lions fly-half, safely clear of the concussion protocols after leaving last weekend’s game.

Harry Latham-Coyle31 July 2021 17:17

South Africa 3-0 Lions, 9 minutes

To the open they go, though, with Robbie Henshaw trying to flick a blind pass to Duhan van der Merwe off his wing, but the timing isn’t quite right.

Another penalty for the Lions is awarded as they fail to find momentum. Jasper Wiese, who does have a moment of ill-discipline or two in him, pinged for a no-arms tackle.

Harry Latham-Coyle31 July 2021 17:16

South Africa 3-0 Lions, 7 minutes

Take to the sky! The Lions fail to set their maul right so play away, and two phases later Dan Biggar looks to the heavens and sends the ball upwards, giving it an almighty thump.

Willie Le Roux settles himself, five metres from his own line...knocked on! Scrum to the Lions in a superb attacking position with an intriguing ten-metre blindside.

Harry Latham-Coyle31 July 2021 17:15

South Africa 3-0 Lions, 6 minutes

A nervy moment from Stuart Hogg, who appears to get his aerial drill right but fumbles Faf de Klerk’s high hoist. The Lions retain possession, however, with the ball spilled backwards, and Dan Biggar tries a raunchy little chip kick, but de Klerk is across swiftly to slide beneath it like a fielder in from the boundary.

To the air, again, and Makazole Mapimpi is a fraction early as Biggar comes back down to earth after taking it. Penalty to the Lions. Tight, but Mapimpi did just make contact while Biggar was yet to land.

Harry Latham-Coyle31 July 2021 17:13

PENALTY! SOUTH AFRICA 3-0 Lions (Handre Pollard penalty, 4 minutes)

Simple as you like for Pollard from 15 metres or so, dead in front. South Africa lead early on.

Harry Latham-Coyle31 July 2021 17:11

South Africa 0-0 Lions, 3 minutes

The scrum immediately goes down and Faf de Klerk taps the free-kick quickly, fizzing to Lukhanyo Am in midfield, but he’s met by a stout hit from Chris Harris, dumping him back. A bit of a statement from Harris on his opposite number, stopping him as he leapt at the line.

Penalty advantage for South Africa, so they will play with greater extravagance. Here’s Cheslin Kolbe, stepping left and right, hopping this way and that, and nearly through! Dragged back, but a South African infringement means we will come back for the initial penalty. It was for offside.

Worryingly for the Springboks, Pieter-Steph du Toit, excellent last week, is down, and grasping his arm rather uncomfortably. He fell awkwardly upon it as Duhan van der Merwe left him on his back after a very slightly late tackle. Du Toit will continue, it appears, as Handre Pollard lines up a simple shot at goal.

Harry Latham-Coyle31 July 2021 17:10

South Africa's lock Eben Etzebeth scuffle with British and Irish Lions' prop Alun Wyn Jones
South Africa's lock Eben Etzebeth scuffle with British and Irish Lions' prop Alun Wyn Jones (AFP )
Jack Rathborn31 July 2021 17:10

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