British and Irish Lions

Botha will answer a charge of striking after an incident during the Bulls' win over the Waratahs in Sydney on Saturday.

To make matters worse for Botha and the Bulls, the World Cup winner's hearing has been deferred until Monday, further disrupting the Bulls' plans ahead of Friday's clash with the Brumbies.

"We can't really understand why Bakkies was cited," Bulls coach Frans Ludeke told South African newspaper Rapport.

"But the sooner it can be resolved, the better. We're playing on Friday and want to know where we stand by Monday."

The delay leaves the Bulls with just a single training day to practice with what will be a new second row pairing whatever the outcome of the Botha's hearing.

The Bulls train Monday and Tuesday of this week before resting on Wednesday and travelling from Sydney to Canberra on Thursday.

Fellow Springbok lock Victor Matfield is on his way back to South Africa for the birth of his second child, while his likely replacement Danie Rossouw has a minor knee injury would could prevent him from featuring against ACT.

Warren Gatland says he and his British & Irish Lions Test team are fully aware of the size of the threat posed by Qantas Wallabies wing Israel Folau this weekend.

Sam Warburton says he is 'absolutely delighted' after being chosen to lead The British & Irish Lions in Saturday's first Test match against the Qantas Wallabies.

Less than four kilometres away from the Suncorp Stadium, venue for the opening Test between the British & Irish Lions and Qantas Wallabies on Saturday, lies the grave of the man who took the starring role in the first international between the two teams in 1899.