I’VE GONE BOK IN HISTORY
Townsend hopes hours spent studying videos of South Africa games while isolating has given Lions the edge
GREGOR TOWNSEND did not waste his time when confined to barracks – he was swotting up on the Springboks.
The British & Irish Lions attack guru had to self-isolate in Johannesburg as the squad headed to Cape Town on Sunday, so got the videos out.
The Scot only rejoined the party on Wednesday and will be in position in the stands as the tourists take on the Stormers in their final match before next week’s first Test against South Africa.
But Townsend (above) spent his time stuck in his hotel mugging up on the hosts’ games for the last three years, when current bosses Rassie Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber took the reins.
Townsend said: “There was a silver lining, I could watch a lot more of South Africa. When you go Saturday, Wednesday, Saturday the focus is on helping preparing the team. So not being with the team, I was able to look back at games they have played as far back as 2018 when the current coaches took over.
“So I’m more aware of what we are expecting in defence from them. I wouldn’t want to repeat it. You really miss the conversations you have after a meeting or on the training field, just to see where people are.
“You feel like you are not there even though you are on a phone call or are watching the game remotely and messaging the coaches. Nothing beats being there.”
Head coach Warren Gatland and his assistants, including Townsend, will tomorrow sketch out their Test team.
Today is a big day for the likes of Scotland scrum-half Ali Price (left), who is pushing Conor Murray for a spot, Ireland’s No.8 Jack Conan and centre Robbie Henshaw, who has not played since the Japan game on June 26.
The starting XV is completely different from the one that lost 17-13 to South Africa A on
Wednesday, although Elliot Daly, Adam Beard and Tadhg Beirne came off the bench in that defeat.
And Townsend has told the side today is the day to roar if they want to get a Test spot.
He added: “If players put on a performance we believe is going to help us win the first Test then they’re going to be in a strong position.”
With Finn Russell sidelined it is also an opportunity for fly-half Marcus Smith, who was called up last Saturday.
B&I LIONS: Hogg; Adams, Daly, Henshaw, Van der Merwe; Smith, Price; Sutherland, Cowan-dickie, Furlong, Beard, Hill, Beirne, Watson, Conan
REPLACEMENTS: George, Vunipola, Fagerson, Jones, Simmonds, Davies, Harris, Reeszammit