THE LIONS wilt renew acquaintance with some opponents against whom they have already played on this tour when they take on the Emerging Springboks this afternoon in Wellington, about 60 miles from Cape Town.
The Emerging Springboks represent the cream of the young talent in South Africa, but no fewer than eight of the side have gained experience in the intense level of competition in the Super 12 series.
The Lions side includes Ireland's Jeremy Davidson in the second row and, as Davidson readily admits, it is a very big match for him. He had been due to play against Natal on Saturday but was forced out by a slight hamstring injury. He is a real contender for a Test place. The indications are that he is one of the few in the side today who could get into the Test team.
Lions manager Fran Cotton was adamant yesterday that the team is not "by any means finalised". It may not be finalised, but most of the names have been pencilled in. The issue in the second row rests between Davidson and Simon Shaw as to who will partner Lions captain Martin Johnson in the Test.
The tight head prop berth is another where the Lions selectors have probably not made up their minds. David Young came right back into contention with a fine match last Saturday, and Paul Wallace's form has been such that many believe he is in with a chance. Jason Leonard, who leads the Lions today, knows that he is under immense pressure. I am going out there knowing just how severe the competition is for a Test place," he said. It is akin to a final trial for at least a few of the side.
Wallace is named on the bench, so his claim has, so to speak, gone in. Leonard will need a really big match today to win a Test place. He can play on either side of the scrum, but he knows that versatility may do no more than get him in on the bench. Indeed, the indications are that no member of the much vaunted England front row of Graham Rowntree, Martin Regan or Leonard, may get in on Saturday.
Ireland's Eric Miller and Keith Wood, neither involved today, are favourites to play at number eight and hooker respectively on Saturday.
Coach Ian McGeechan and Cotton seem adamant that they will not announce the Test side until Saturday. "It could be that at the last minute we will be influenced by ground conditions," said McGeechan. "The conditions in Cape Town can vary appreciably and change rapidly.
Meanwhile Davidson, who played so well against Gauleng last Wednesday, sees today's match "as a very definite opportunity in respect of the Test. I was not quite right last Saturday and it would have been ill advised for me to play. I am fully fit and feel rested."
Although the Lions expect a hard match today, Cotton thinks they will have a definite advantage in teamwork. "The Emerging Springboks side has really only been together a day or two, and that should give us an edge," he said. Tony Diprose, who came out as replacement for Scott Quinnell, makes his debut at number eight for the Lions.
Right wing Deon Kayser (Eastern Province), centre Percy Montgomery (Western Province), outhalf Louis van Rensberg (Gauteng) and prop Robbie Kempson (Natal) have played for their provinces against the Lions on the tour.
Full back M J Smith (Free State), Van Rensberg, scrumhalf Jepie Adlam (North West), Kempson, the second row pair of Rhino Opperman and Bran Els (Free State), Brosnihan and number eight Jacko Coetzee (Free State) were regulars for their provinces in the Super 12. Adlam, now with North West, has just moved from Gauteng.
Six of the team also toured Ireland and Britain last season with the South African A team: Smith, centre McNeill Hendricks, van Rensberg, Adlam, Kempson, hooker Dale Santon and Els.
The pack is rated highly here and is expected to give the Lions a tough enough examination. It will, however, be a surprise if the much more experienced Lions side does not win against a team that came together for the first time on Sunday.
Thoughts will turn exclusively to the Test on Saturday when the final whistle goes this afternoon. The Lions will be travelling out of Cape Town tomorrow to train and have not released the venue. "It will be an away day," was the comment. Their sessions on Thursday and Friday will also be closed.
Surely rugby is rapidly becoming like professional soccer when it comes to announcements about team selection and other matters. Never can I remember an international rugby team not being announced until a few hours before kickoff.
If you want to get ahead, don't name a panel, seems to be the current trend of thought. "Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson did not name his teams until a few hours before the kickoff," said Cotton.
True indeed, but as Cotton was reminded, when they entered international competition it did them little good: they lost five European Cup ties, three at home.
