Steven Kitshoff and Tadhg Furlong will go head to head this weekend
The PA news agency examines one of the key match-ups in Cape Town.
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Your support makes all the difference.The British and Irish Lions could seal a first series win in South Africa since 1997 with victory over South Africa on Saturday.
Here, we examine one of the key match-ups in Cape Town
Steven Kitshoff
Club: Western ProvincePosition: Loosehead propAge: 29Caps: 49Debut: v Ireland 2016Height: 6ft 0inWeight: 18st 13lbPoints: 5 (1 try)
Powerful scrummager Kitshoff has been drafted into the Springboks’ starting line-up with South Africa bidding to hit back to their set-piece best. The Boks struggled at the scrum in the first Test, and Ox Nche has dropped out with a minor injury. Kitshoff’s promotion from the bench alongside Frans Malherbe at tighthead is designed to bolster the hosts’ scrum stability and power.
Club: LeinsterPosition: Tighthead propAge: 28Caps: 53Debut: v Wales, 2015Height: 6ft 0inWeight: 18st 7lbPoints: 25 (5 tries)
Ireland powerhouse Furlong has grown steadily into one of the globe’s foremost front-rowers, just as much for his ability around the field as his rock-steady set-piece work. The Lions leant heavily on Furlong’s scrum power last week and will be looking for more of the same, especially with the Boks aiming to crank up the pressure in the tight exchanges.
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