British and Irish Lions

Botha was cited for a dangerous charge on Lions prop Adam Jones in the fourth minute of the second half at Loftus Versfeld and was given a two week ban the following day by IRB judicial officer Alan Hudson.

Botha became the first of two Springbok forwards to be banned by the Canadian official the day after the Boks clinched the series with their 28-25 triumph. Schalk Burger was given an eight week suspension for gouging and is also missing from the third Test in Johannesburg on Saturday.

The Springbok coaches claimed that Botha was merely trying to clean out at a ruck when he charged into Jones. Jones suffered a dislocated shoulder, an injury which ended his tour.

Botha is now definitely ruled out of this weekend's third Test, leaving his Blue Bulls lock partner Victor Matfield looking for a new colleague in the second row.

The Waratahs upset the odds by beating Super Rugby leaders the Brumbies 28-22, but the game came at a huge cost to Qantas Wallabies coach Robbie Deans.

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.