How they rated

STUART HOGG

Turned over while counterattacking and kicked the ball dead before 10 minutes were on the clock. No chance to showcase his famous evasive running

ANTHONY WATSON

Caught out of position a few times by Faf de Klerk’s kicking. One lovely slaloming run from his own try line but no real opportunity to showcase what he does best in attack.

ELLIOT DALY

Rag-dolled by Lukhanyo Am early on, then penalised twice for not releasing in a tackle and playing the ball on the floor, the latter costing three points. ROBBIE HENSHAW Searing break just before half-time when ball was dislodged from his grasp. One of few Lions backs to make some yardage.

DUHAN VAN D MERWE

Great early take of a steepling Faf de Klerk kick. Never stopped probing and was difficult to bring down when he got up a head of steam.

Will probably keep his place.

DAN BIGGAR

Picked some clever passes to release Henshaw. Uncharacteristic penalty miss but the way he recovered to land crucial goal shots said it all about his bigmatch temperament.

ALI PRICE

Some measured boxkicking but didn’t give the Boks back row much to think about.

STAR MAN: COURTNEY LAWES

Struggled in the first half to make his presence felt, particularly at the breakdown, but his influence grew later on with some brilliant surging ball carrying. In fact, his second-half display was absolutely magnificent.

REPLACEMENTS

Ken Owens 6; Mako Vunipola 7; Kyle Sinckler 7; Tadhg Beirne 6; Hamish Watson 5; Conor Murray 6; Owen Farrell 7; Liam Williams 6.

SOUTH AFRICA

Le Roux; Kolbe, Am, De Allende, Mapimpi; Pollard, De Klerk; Nche, Mbonambi, Nyakane, Etzebeth, Mostert, Kolisi (capt), Du Toit, Smith. Replacements: Marx, Kitshoff, Malherbe, De Jager, Elstadt, H Jantjies, E Jantjies, Willemse.

REFEREE

Nic Berry (Australia).

RORY SUTHERLAND

Penalised for hingeing at a scrum at the end of the first half and given a very tough examination at the set-piece by Trevor

Nyakane, but never took a backward step.

LUKE COWAN-DICKIE

Got flustered after early line-out trouble. Try in 44th minute got Lions back in it.

Under pressure from

Ken Owens for his place.

TADHG FURLONG

Anchored a scrum that improved as game went on. One shove after the Lions had initially retreated won a penalty and epitomised the

Irishman’s bullishness.

MARO ITOJE

Rocked back in an early tackle by Eben Etzebeth but came back strongly. Fine turnover work, including one in 23rd minute that probably saved a try.

ALUN WYN JONES

Steadied the line-out after early wobbles. Courageous captain’s call to go to touch with penalty that led to try. Dispelled any lingering doubts about his physical readiness.

TOM CURRY

Work rate and energy off the scale at times, but he was also over-eager.

Offside stymied early

Lions attack, and pinged for a late challenge on de Klerk.

JACK CONAN

Solid from the Irishman, but no more. The Lions needed a No.8 who could get over the gainline and

Conan couldn’t.