British and Irish Lions

While South Africa and their fans are still reeling from last weekend's 19-0 home shut-out at the hands of New Zealand, the record books suggest things should come right this weekend.

The Wallabies haven't won a Test in South Africa for eight years, when Stirling Mortlock kicked an injury-time penalty goal in a 19-18 victory.

That kick won Australia the Tri-Nations title for the first time, and it ended Nick Mallett's reign as South Africa coach, but nearly a decade has come and gone and the Wallabies are still searching for another win in the republic. The 19-18 result was so long ago, Mortlock had hair.

Adding to the pressure is the fact that the Tri-Nations trophy is there for the taking for Robbie Deans' men. They trail New Zealand by five points, but have two games in hand - both in South Africa. Then it's back to Australia for a possible winner-takes-all clash against the All Blacks in Brisbane on September 13.

One win in South Africa would set up a mouth-watering match in Brisbane; two wins, and New Zealand fans are suddenly not looking so smug.

South Africa coach Peter de Villiers, while not admitting he made an error in his selections last weekend, corrected the 'mistake' by putting a tired-looking Percy Montgomery back on the bench and bringing in Conrad Jantjes to spice up his attacking options. And with the not-small matter of speedster Bryan Habana being ruled out of the series with a hamstring injury, Jongi Nokwe makes his Tri-Nations debut on the wing.

It's a big game for de Villiers. Springbok fans are still basking in their team's title of world champions, but he didn't have a lot to do with that one. And a record of one last-gasp win in four Tri-Nations matches is not exactly the return supporters were looking for. What odds de Villiers is still in charge when the British and Irish Lions arrive next year?

Australia counterpart Deans has bruising forwards Rocky Elsom and James Horwill back from injury earlier than expected, and he will be looking for a similar defensive effort to the one that helped New Zealand to a famous victory in Newlands.

And if Wallaby fans believe in omens, they should be okay. They beat South Africa in South Africa in 1992 and again in 2000. It's obviously an eight-year cycle…

Lions skipper Sam Warburton says the lessons he and his Welsh colleagues learnt in Australia last summer will stand them in good stead for their return visit with Britain and Ireland's elite next month.

Tom Youngs has enjoyed a remarkable rise to the top of the British & Irish game but he won't be resting on his laurels ahead of his first Lions adventure.

Check out the video from the day the HSBC Cubs met The British & Irish Lions at the Vale of Glamorgan in a day they will remember for the rest of their lives.