First test 2009, Lions versus South Africa at ABSA Stadium, Durban. Big match, tense time, volatile home crowd, media giving Lions no chance against world champion Boks.
Lions unbeaten on tour to date but no Boks playing in the provincial matches. Pre-match preparation done, coin toss done, boys back in the dressing room and time for kick-off. McGeechan and Gatland go over final game plan and Lions leave dressing room and enter field to an amazing barrage of noise from Lions fans who have turned the stadium red.
The mighty red army was in town and provided a wonderful atmosphere to match. Lions were superb and took match to Boks. Boks responded in world champion fashion and led 26-7 shortly after halftime. Lions never gave up and Boks appeared to tire and the Lions stormed back with two tries [and could have had a third] but unfortunately ran out of time with the score at 23-26.
Great match, great crowd, brave Lions.
Greg Thomas
Greg is the Head of Media and Communications for the British & Irish Lions
Follow Greg on Twitter @gregbthomas
Memory added on March 13, 2013
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