Take a look back at some of the memorable moments from all the matches played in the 2009 British & Irish Lions series.
READ: Saffas Abroad Team of the Week
Royal XV vs B&I Lions
30 May 2009
Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg
25-37
The tour got under way in a flash as the Royal XV took an 18-3 lead against the tourists. An invitational side composed mostly of non-Super Rugby players, the Royal XV held out well against the might of the home nations but ultimately the Lions did enough to come away with a 25-37 victory to spare their blushes.
Golden Lions vs B&I Lions
3 June 2009
Ellis Park, Johannesburg
10-74
The B&I Lions bounced back from a poor first performance in style. They dispatched the Golden Lions in a 10-try rout on the highveld in which Jamie Roberts scored two tries.
Free State Cheetahs vs B&I Lions
6 June 2009
Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
24-26
The Cheetahs provided the Lions a much sterner test than in their previous game. Despite going down 20-0 in the first quarter, the Cheetahs did well to get back into the contest through tries by Danwel Demas and Wian du Preez. The Lions looked rattled but held on to claim a two-point victory.
Sharks vs B&I Lions
10 June 2009
Kings Park Stadium, Durban
3-39
The Lions continued their unbeaten run with a five-try victory over the Sharks. The men from Durban scored their only points off the boot of Rory Kockott in the first half.
Western Province vs B&I Lions
13 June 2009
Newlands, Cape Town
23-26
A penalty in the 77th minute by replacement James Hook was enough to steer the Lions past a committed WP side to their fifth victory. In testing conditions, WP pushed the tourists all the way and it looked as though they had done enough to force a draw before a late scrum penalty consigned them to defeat.
Southern Kings vs B&I Lions
16 June 2009
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth
8-20
The Lions endured a physical onslaught from the Kings to go into the first Test six from six. Prop Euan Murray and flyhalf James Hook both had to leave the field injured as the Kings got stuck into the tourists. Kings flank Mpho Mbiyozo scored a memorable try in the defeat.
Springboks vs B&I Lions
20 June 2009
Kings Park Stadium, Durban
26-21
Bok captain John Smit crashed over in the opening minutes of the first Test and three penalties (two by Ruan Pienaar, one from Frans Steyn) put the home side in a commanding position. The Springboks went into the break with a 19-7 lead and were cruising when Heinrich Brussow crossed soon after half time. The Lions fought back from 26-7 down but it wasn’t enough as the Boks took a 1-0 lead in the series.
Emerging Springboks vs B&I Lions
23 June 2009
Newlands, Cape Town
13-13
There was late drama as the Emerging Boks snatched an unlikely draw at the death. After dominating the second half, Danwel Demas crossed in the dying moments and Willem de Waal nailed a clutch, touchline conversion. The match also featured the emergence of one Duane Vermeulen.
Springboks vs B&I Lions
27 June 2009
Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
28-25
The second Test in Pretoria will long be remembered as one of the greatest, and certainly most physical, matches ever played. The Lions led until the 74th minute when centre Jacques Fourie finished a spectacular try in the corner.
With the scores tied in the final moments, the Boks were awarded a penalty after Ronan O’Gara tackled Fourie du Preez in the air. Up stepped Morne Steyn to slot the 53-metre kick and win the series for South Africa.
Springboks vs B&I Lions
4 July 2009
Ellis Park, Johannesburg
9-28
With the series already decided, both the Lions and Boks rang the changes for the final Test. The tourists proved too strong for the Boks and recorded a dominant victory to restore some of their pride. Winger Ugo Monye scored a memorable intercept try.
