British and Irish Lions lock Simon Shaw has received a two-week ban after being cited for dangerous play during yesterday’s third Test victory over South Africa in Johannesburg, the South Africa Rugby Football Union have announced.
England forward Shaw was found guilty of striking Springboks scrum-half Fourie du Preez with his knee just before half time.
Shaw received a yellow card for the offence, but he was then summoned to appear at a disciplinary hearing today.
Phil Vickery, meanwhile, today hailed the “unbelievable experience” of the tour and warned off those critics who question whether rugby union’s greatest institution has a future.
Vickery, who will be 37 when the Lions head to Australia in four years’ time, bowed out amid memorable scenes as world champions South Africa suffered a first defeat at Ellis Park since 2001.
Far more significantly than mere statistics though, Vickery and company ensured the Lions brand will continue to roar.
“People can question me until the cows come home about Lions tours, and I will tell them straight — Lions tours should carry on,” said the World Cup-winning England prop.
“It is the most unbelievable experience you can ever have as a rugby player. I’ve been fortunate to achieve some fantastic things in my career, but nothing beats wearing the Lions jersey.
“It’s just the ultimate, it really is. I hope and pray that Lions tours continue — they are a very special thing to be involved in.
“A Lions tour has to be slightly different. It has to be a little bit ‘amateurish’ in that you’ve got to have a bit of fun and drink a few beers, because you have got to get on with people and mix.
“You’ve all got to mix and buy into it, and that to me is what makes it very special. I wouldn’t want it any other way.”
Shane Williams’ try double and a second-half interception score by his fellow wing Ugo Monye — plus 13 points from fly-half Stephen Jones — sent South Africa crashing yesterday.
France had been the last team to beat South Africa in Johannesburg, toppling them 32-23 eight years ago, but the Lions will fly home tomorrow after joining that exclusive club.
Despite showing seven changes following the series-losing defeat in Pretoria seven days earlier — and being without injured talismen like Brian O’Driscoll and Jamie Roberts — they responded magnificently.
And the result saw them match the record 28-9 Lions success against South Africa of Willie John McBride’s all-conquering 1974 tourists.
From Vickery at the coal-face to the supremely confident Ireland full-back Rob Kearney, Lions heroes were everywhere.
Mike Phillips performed at his optimum, combining fierce aggression with the full range of scrum-half skills, while centre Riki Flutey produced a stunning flick-pass assist for Williams’ second try and he also defended like a man possessed.
But it was up front where the Lions took charge, spearheaded by number eight Jamie Heaslip’s colossal contribution and the tireless work-rate of Wales flanker Martyn Williams.
The Springboks might have been a much-changed — and weaker — outfit after wrapping up the series in Pretoria, yet nothing should detract from what was a supreme Lions performance.
Over the series, they outscored South Africa on points and tries, but were ultimately undone by Morne Steyn’s last-gasp penalty at Loftus Versfeld. It was that close — an unrelenting, unforgettable three-match series decided by the finest of margins.
