The old television in the corner of the press box at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria – where the Super 14 final was held on Saturday – was showing the Lions game, but the South African journalists weren't taking much notice. On the other hand, the couple of us who wanted to watch the tour opener amounted to a gathering of more or less the same size as the crowd at Rustenburg.
It was also difficult to watch because of all the squirming and putting hands in front of eyes. Poor Keith Earls. I know there is a duty to give everyone a run-out in the first three games, but an exception might be made for the Munster youngster, and he should be put straight back on the bicycle.
His partner in midfield, Jamie Roberts, had a good game, although I am sure that every time the medical student bangs successfully up the middle he views it not so much as ground gained as an extension to his sentence at inside centre. He may have to wait a while yet for freedom, for he is fast playing himself into the Test 12 shirt.
Lee Byrne was even better. There is something maniacal about the full-back; when he plays it is never with anything less than absolute commitment. As a kicker-gatherer he is peerless, and without his solo try in the second half this blog might have been written from South Africa's version of the Priory.
No, all in all, the first game would have been a scare that turned into relief and all would have been satisfactory. Would have been, had it not been for the events up the road in Pretoria. The performance of the victorious Bulls against the Chiefs was devastatingly good and chilling, depending on your side of the fence. The Lions will grow stronger and more cohesive. The possibility that the lines of improvement (the Lions) and fall (the Springboks, perhaps) may yet converge, keeps the drama alive. But the starting points are miles apart.
Position pondering
The Bulls scrum-half Fourie Du Preez gave one of the most intelligent and athletic performances I have ever seen against the Chiefs. Meanwhile, Mike Blair was not having one of his more authoritative days in Rustenburg. The chances to make an impression are few and whoever faces Du Preez in the series will have to be brimming with confidence. Mike Phillips and Harry Ellis both play with a blast and their feistiness will come in handy if Du Preez is to be put off his game.
Phillips or Ellis ... whichever manages to put precision on his kicks and passes – do you think by the way that altitude has a bearing on throwing and passing, as it does on kicking? – will claim the shirt. We shall know more by Thursday morning.
Extract taken from The Breakdown, Eddie Butler's twice-weekly Lions email. Sign up now, it's free
