IN all fields of sporting endeavour comparisons with past achievement are a burden the present generation must bear. When the achievements are of recent vintage and of major magnitude it adds to the weight of expectation that the glory days will continue.

Gary Teichmann, the man who will lead South Africa into the first Test against the Lions at Newlands on Saturday, has good reason to appreciate what it is to follow in the footsteps of a legend.

It is Teichmann's task to follow a man who has written his name indelibly into the history of South African rugby, a chronicle graced by some of the greatest names the game has known.

It was to Teichmann that the South Africans turned when Francois Pienaar, who led South Africa to the World Cup triumph just two years ago, was first injured and then overlooked. Teichmann is by no means a man who follows in the usual mould of South African captains.

He was for instance born in Zimbabwe, he is one of only three men who were, so to speak, non nationals to lead South Africa and one has to go back a long way to find the last.

In many ways the fact that he has been given so signal an honour, the ultimate sporting honour in the eyes of many South Africans, increases his commitment to the cause.

"I cannot say that I ever really seriously contemplated being made captain of South Africa when I set out on the road to trying to win a cap," said Teichman, who will celebrate his 30th birthday in January.

Like Pienaar, Teichamn is a back row forward, what they call in South Africa eighth man. His road to an international cap has not been easy and he had to endure some disappointment along the way.

"I was hoping to make the South African World Cup squad but it did not happen," said Teichmann. "I did not allow the disappointment to dampen my desire, I could not afford that," added the man who has been a central figure in Natal's rise to eminence on the provincial scene in South Africa and led the province to Currie Cup victory last season.

He made his debut for Natal in 1991, and within a few years he was a candidate to get into the Sprintgboks team.

"I served a fairly long apprenticeship," he said and part of that was a spell with Clontarf. "I really enjoyed my time with Clontarf and playing in Ireland. At the time I was with Clontarf I had broken into the Natal team, and I found it very beneficial to my game to play for Clontarf in what was our off season.

"It was a different kind of game in Ireland, played in different climatic conditions. I think it broadened my game and I think my outlook.

"I would like to go back and play in Ireland, for South Africa in an international against Ireland in Dublin." That ambition could be fulfilled in the future.

On the issue of the World Cup and the burden of expectation that has come with it Teichmann believes that it is time that people concentrated on the present and the future and stop dwelling on the World Cup. He has a very broad support in the Sprinbgboks' squad on that issue despite the fact that many in the current squad helped win the World Cup.

"A lot has happened since we won the World Cup. We can hardly forget that we lost the Tri nations last year and lost a series to New Zealand, the first time that the All Blacks won a series in South Africa. That is more relevant than what happened two years ago.

"We now face the Lions in what is likely to be a very hard series of three Tests. The Lions have got better and better as the tour has progressed.

"Playing against the Lions is very special for any Springboks player. The series has a great history and the 1974 Lions will never be forgotten in South Africa. You know you hear more about the 1974 Lions than about any other touring team."

When Teichmann leads his side out against the Lions on Saturday he will in fact be seeing them "live " for the first time. "I have never seen the Lions play other than on television. I have watched their matches on this tour and can detect discernible improvement as the tour has progressed."

He does not subscribe to the view that the Lions are vulnerable up front, especially in the scrum. "I think in the early stages of the tour, the forwards were not impressive in some respects. But it is obvious a lot of very hard work has been done, especially in the scrummaging. The other thing is that as the tour progresses the combinations become more settled and more comfortable. The Lions backs have played some really good exciting and effective rugby on the tour.

"We are under no illusions about what we face. We must try and not give their backs a lot of opportunity or any space. First phase possession will be vital. Neither side can afford mistakes and must take any chance that comes along.

"There is no doubt at all that the result of the first Test will be crucial, both sides know that. I would accept, too, that there is more pressure on us because we lost to the All Blacks last season. On as personal level, the World Cup is not a factor, I was not involved. But what will really motivate us is that we lost to the All Blacks last year."

Teichmann has been under intensive treatment for a hamstring injury sustained last Tuesday week against Tonga when he had to go off the field. He was initially rated doubtful for the match on Saturday, but the injury has cleared up.

"I will definitely play, I have been able to train without difficulty since Monday," he said.

He says his style of leadership is different to that of Pienaar. "I spoke to Francois when I took over as captain and he wished me and the team well, which is what a man of his character would do. But he did not offer me any specific advice nor did I ask for it.

"The whole Springboks management structure has changed since the World Cup, so in some respects has the tactical approach, but not of course the desire or the objectives.

"A lot of great South African players have never played against the Lions. It is not a chance that comes very often. The whole team is aware of this and what is at stake.

"No, I do not see it as northern hemisphere against southern hemisphere. We are not playing for the southern hemisphere, it is South Africa against the best in Britain and Ireland.

"Hard work, determination and the will never to give up without giving of your best, are essential if you want to succeed in the intensely competitive atmosphere of South African rugby, " he said.

His own career illustrates that he has revealed those characteristics in a career that now embraces 15 caps, the first against Wales in Johannesburg in September 1995, just a matter of two months after South Africa won the World Cup.

Will leading the Springboks out against the Lions at Newlands on Saturday be the greatest moment of his career? "Well I cannot think anything that I have experienced so far will have been better than that."