And Rustenburg, South Africa's fastest growing city, is beginning to brace itself for the first of two major invasions over the next two year - a first visit by Lions in 2009 and the soccer World Cup in 2010.

And as the countdown clock for next year's 13th Lions tour to South Africa reached 365 days it is interesting to note that the tourists will be breaking new ground on their opening assignment against a Highveld XV.

The 38,000 all-seater Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace will have the honour of hosting the first Lions fixture next year. Never before on their 12 previous tours stretching back to 1891 have the Lions played in Rustenburg, known as the 'Town of Rest'.

Tour Manger Gerald Davies and Head Coach Ian McGeechan both launched their legendary Lions careers in South Africa in nearby Potchefstroom, but the 2009 team will be the first to taste life in a city that is home to 125,000 people.

Rustenburg is the third oldest town in the old Transvaal province and was founded in 1851. Only Potchefstroom and Klerksdorp can claim to be older.

Nestled at the foothills of the Magalies mountains, Rustenburg was used to host games at the 1995 Rugby World Cup, when Scotland, France, Tonga and the Ivory Coast all played there.

For the record, Gerald Davies enjoyed a winning debut against Western Transvaal on 18 May, 1968 - the first of his 19 games for the Lions on two tours - when the Lions triumphed 20-12 in their opening game.

Six years on, McGeechan launched his incredible Lions career with a 59-13 win over the same opposition at the same venue.