The British & Irish Lions had to settle for a 13 all draw at Newlands this evening as the Emerging Boks recovered from a slow start to tie a game which the Lions consistently failed to close out. In the dying moments, Bok replacement Demas went over in the corner to leave Willem De Waal a massive pressure kick from the right touch line to pull the Boks level. In the wind and rain, the young Western Province man stepped up on his home ground and slotted it to leave it 13-13 and the game finished.

After an impressive start in horrendous conditions the Lions applied the pressure before Keith Earls crossed on 14 mins. A nice step checked the Boks defence and the fullback darted through for the score. From this point on however, the Lions went 52 mins without adding to their score despite making a number of positive forays into Springbok territory.

Throughout the game the Springboks grew and grew into the game and with the addition of De Waal the South African kicking game thoroughly outclassed the Lions. It was an impressive display of we weather rugby from the Boks but at the same time, given opportunities, the Lions simply failed to close out the match. Earl Rose chipped away at the Lions lead via penalties and at 49mins with the score 6-10 in the Lions favour the tourists seemed to forget that they were only four points to the good.

It was a frustrating display for Lions fans as the tourists squandered good attacking ball repeatedly and time and again visited the Boks red-zone and returned empty handed. No opportunity was manufactured to drop a goal and instead the Lions seemed content to kick aimlessly at times. Keith Earls at fullback was constantly peppered with perfectly weighted high-balls from De Waal, Kirchner and Rose and deserves commending for his calm perseverance.

Finally, on 76mins the Lions won a penalty and Hook converted to push them 13-6 ahead. However the Boks refused to be beaten and changed their kicking game for a running game. Pushing the Lions back into their 22 they took the opportunity as soon as it was provided and worked space for Demas in the corner. For such a youthful team the Emerging Boks game management was considerably better than the Lions and despite decent individual play at times, the tourists lacked nous throughout.

O'Gara substitution on 45 mins only compounded the issue. Clearly the management wanted to give James Hook some field time following his absence with injury, but you've got to question the decision making from a team that's crying out for an injection of momentum. O'Gara had been playing the kind of controlled tactical game the Lions needed, firing balls high into the lashing rain, pinning the corners and grubbering through and given the situation it was an interesting, though clearly pre-determined, call to sub him.

Credit must go to the Emerging Boks however. It was a hugely patient performance from a young side who thanks to a dominant kicking game and a solid second half defence found the opportunity late on to level the contest.

The Lions head to Pretoria and Loftus Versfeld short on confidence and low on momentum. They've got it all to do.