PHIL VICKERY believes the British and Irish Lions have been handed a reality check by an unheralded Royal XV.
The Lions’ laboured 37-25 victory over a team drawn from South African rugby’s second tier will hardly set alarm bells ringing in the Springboks camp.
And confirmation of what awaits the Lions in next month’s Test series came before the tourists had even left Rustenburg.
While they reflected on a performance that only ignited during the final quarter following mass substitutions, South African World Cup heroes like Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha and Fourie du Preez were powering the Blue Bulls to Super 14 glory.
The Bulls’ 60-point stroll past Waikato Chiefs provided proof – if any was required – that South Africa are red-hot favourites to make it three successive Lions tours without Test series success.
There was not a Springboks superstar in sight at the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace – just a meagre 12,000 crowd and opponents who refused to lie down.
The Lions had probably never heard of try-scorers Rayno Barnes, Bees Roux and Willhelm Koch, or man-of-the-match Jonathan Mokuena – but they have now.
A colossal upset was on the cards with 14 minutes remaining as the Lions trailed 25-13 and in dire need of inspiration.
It came from Wales full-back Lee Byrne, whose superb solo try capped an impressive individual display and hauled an ailing Lions outfit off the canvas.
Once Lions head coach Ian McGeechan had summoned reinforcements – including Vickery, Mike Phillips, Alun-Wyn Jones and the dangerous Riki Flutey – his team scored 24 unanswered points.
