Both the Lions and the Springboks have named their sides for the third and final test. The teams are as follows:

British & Irish Lions 15. Rob Kearney 14. Ugo Monye 13. Tommy Bowe 12. Riki Flutey 11. Shane Williams 10. Stephen Jones 9. Mike Phillips 8. Jamie Heaslip 7. Martyn Williams 6. Joe Worsley 5. Paul O'Connell (c) 4. Simon Shaw 3. Phil Vickery 2. Matthew Rees 1. Andrew Sheridan Replacements: 16. Ross Ford 17. John Hayes 18. Alun-Wyn Jones 19. David Wallace 20. Tom Croft 21. Harry Ellis 22. James Hook

Springboks 15. Zane Kirchner 14. Odwa Ndungane 13. Jaque Fourie 12. Wynand Olivier 11. Jongi Nokwe 10. Morné Steyn 9. Fourie du Preez 8. Ryan Kankowski 7. Juan Smith 6. Heinrich Brüssow 5. Victor Matfield 4. Johann Muller 3. John Smit (c) 2. Chiliboy Ralepelle 1. Tendai Mtawarira Replacements: 16. Bismarck du Plessis 17. Gurthrö Steenkamp 18. Deon Carstens 19. Steven Sykes 20. Pierre Spies 21. Ruan Pienaar 22. Frans Steyn

Both sides feature considerable changes. The Lions, mainly enforced by injury, while the Boks, who have lost two players to suspension, field a new look side with the clear intent of blooding a few youngsters. The Lions make 7 changes to their starting XV with one positional change - Tommy Bowe comes into the outside centre role, while Ugo Monye returns to take his position on the wing.

The Lions lost both centres and both props to injury during the second test, and Phil Vickery returns to the side alongside Matthew Rees and Andy Sheridan in the front row. Vickery experienced a torrid time in the series opener, but scrum coach Graham Rowntree is expecting the Wasps player to bounce back, "I've no doubt if selected he'll go out there and give a good display."

An all new centre pairing of Riki Flutey and regular winger Tommy Bowe takes the field in place of the injured Jamie Roberts and Brian O'Driscoll and Shane Williams defies his critics to claim a wing berth. The successful lock pairing of Shaw and O'Connell gets it's second run out, while in the back row Martyn Williams swaps his place on the bench with David Wallace and Joe Worsley comes into the side at the expense of Tom Croft who drops to the bench.

Luke Fitzgerald can count himself unlucky. After a solid display in the second test the management have clearly decided to gamble and thrown the mercurial but hugely out of form Williams into the mix. Ronan O'Gara is also relegated from the bench after an unfortunate ten minute cameo in the dying minutes of the second test. James Hook takes his place on the reserves bench.

Commenting on his selection Head Coach Ian McGeechan said, "A British & Irish Lions tour is a unique experience for players in the busy, modern professional rugby calendar. The 2009 Lions have thrown themselves into the spirit of the tour, have interacted with the people of South Africa and shown themselves to be great ambassadors for northern hemisphere rugby."

"As a squad they have met many challenges on the tour including playing two matches per week, the inevitable injuries and two narrow Test losses. Despite this they have remained a tight, focussed squad and I know those playing in the Third Test will give their all to ensure that we achieve a victory on Saturday."

"It is fair to say injuries have had an impact on the tour as you would expect including selection for the Third Test as we were unfortunate to lose Brian O'Driscoll, Jamie Roberts, Gethin Jenkins and Adam Jones through injury last Saturday. However, the players coming into the starting XV are all talented international players and are as keen as ever to turn the tables on the Springboks. Last Saturday we were minutes away from winning and that is a huge positive to take into the Third Test."

"Andrew Sheridan, Joe Worsley and Martyn Williams will all be part of a Lions starting XV for the first time. Stephen Jones, Mike Phillips, skipper Paul O'Connell and Jamie Heaslip will earn the distinction of being in the starting XV for all three Test matches."

Tour manager Gerald Davies added, "The tour has been a wonderful experience and the team spirit has confirmed the best traditions of the Lions continues. The tour concludes on Saturday with the third and final Test in Johannesburg. The players are determined to ensure that all their hard work during the 10-match tour is rewarded with a Test victory. There is no doubt that little has separated the British & Irish Lions and the Springboks so far in what has been a tremendous series. Saturday should prove to be another great match."

The Springboks also make a host of changes, introducing Zane Kirchner of the Blue Bulls at fullback for his first cap and Morné Steyn for his first start in the Springbok jersey after his match winning super-sub effort last week.

In the pack, Bismarck du Plessis makes way for Chiliboy Ralepelle, Johann Muller makes his first start for two years in place of the banned Bakkies Botha while Brussow comes in for the banned Burger. Ryan Kankowski is handed the number 8. shirt in place of Pierre Spies after the man mountain failed to have the impact some, including myself thought he would.

Behind the scrum, South Africa field an entirely new backline with only scrum-half Fourie du Preez retained from the 2nd test. Olivier partners second test try scorer Jaque Fourie in the centres while Odwa Ndungane and Jongi Nokwe both start on the wing adding to their fledgling international careers.

Clarifying his intent to widen the Springbok player base, head coach Peter De Villiers had the following to say on the selection. “This is a very strong side. At the end of the Vodacom Super 14 I wanted to have 28 players who could play for the Springboks at any time and I think we’ve achieved that goal. I’m very happy with this selection."

The Springbok side to tackle the Lions in the second test is as follows:

Springbok XV

1. Tendai Mtawarira
2. Bismarck du Plessis
3. John Smit – Captain
4. Bakkies Botha
5. Victor Matfield
6. Schalk Burger
7. Juan Smith
8. Pierre Spies
9. Fourie du Preez
10. Ruan Pienaar
11. Bryan Habana
12. Jean de Villiers
13. Adi Jacobs
14. JP Pietersen
15. Frans Steyn

Reserves:

16. Chiliboy Ralepelle
17. Deon Carstens
18. Andries Bekker
19. Danie Rossouw
20. Heinrich Brüssow
21. Jaque Fourie
22. Morné Steyn

The main change to the side sees Schalk Burger return to the 6 shirt to win his 50th cap at the expense of Henrich Brüssow, despite the Cheetah having such a successful game in the 1st test. It's no surprise really, given that Peter De Villiers recently said that he based 60% of what the Boks did up front around the huge presence of Schalk Burger. Brüssow has to settle for a spot on the bench.

The Bok management have chosen to retain Adi Jacobs at centre and Jaque Fourie and Morné Steyn once again have to settle for bench spots. The changes to the bench see Ricky Januarie lose his spot while Chiliboy Ralepelle comes in to the side in place of Gurthrö Steenkamp. The Springboks clearly plan to tighten the screw on what is now perceived to be a weak Lions front row.

Peter De Villiers has settled on a 5/2 split between backs and forwards and there is the distinct sense that he plans to shut the Lions down at source in scrum, lineout and breakdown. With no reserve scrum-half, Ruan Pienaar provides cover with Morné Steyn the recognised bench 10.

“We believe in the abilities of our players and we are confident that they will take things up a few notches on Saturday,” said Springbok coach, Peter de Villiers.

“We are a squad of 22 focused on a common objective, which is to go out and win a Test Series against a very good Lions team. We know that we will be faced by a Lions team that will be playing to level the Test Series and will provide us with a stern test. We must make sure that we are more than equal to the task.”
The Lions meet the Springboks in what is a 'must-win' game for the tourists this Saturday at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.

Springbok head coach Peter de Villiers has announced his team to face the British & Irish Lions in the 1st Test in Durban The team is captain by John Smit at prop and is as follows:

Springbok Match Day 22

15. Frans Steyn
14. JP Pietersen
13. Adi Jacobs
12. Jean de Villiers
11. Bryan Habana
10. Ruan Pienaar
9. Fourie du Preez

8. Pierre Spies
7. Juan Smith
6. Heinrich Brussow
5. Victor Matfield
4. Bakkies Botha
3. John Smit (c)
2. Bismarck du Plessis
1. Tendai Mtawarira

Replacements:

16. Gurthro Steenkamp
17. Deon Carstens
18. Andries Bekker
19. Danie Rossouw
20. Ricky Januarie
21. Jaque Fourie
22. Morné Steyn.

The makeup of the Springbok XV has been clear to most commentators for some time, but today's announcement clarifies thinking in a number of key positions. Despite de Villiers assurances that he would make the 1st test, Schalk Burger has been left, out due to a calf strain and Cheetahs flanker Heinrich Brussow comes in to win only his second cap.

Ruan Pienaar is preferred at number 10 over uncapped Blue Bull Morné Steyn and PdV has brought an end to the speculation regarding the full-back position by naming Frans Steyn in the 15 shirt. It's a hugey experienced side boasting 707 caps across the 22. John Smit captains from tighthead, swapping out of his favoured position of hooker to make room for Bismarck du Plessis.

The Springboks face the Lions this Saturday at the ABSA Stadium in Durban.

Heinrich Brussow has been called into the Springbok squad. Stormers flanker Schalk Burger, who has 46 test caps, is struggling to be fit for Saturday's first test due to an injured calf.

Brussow has already faced the Lions in their third tour match against the Free State Cheetahs. The openside flanker had a superlative game, despite his sides loss and seemed to being taking the fight to the tourists almost single-handedly at times. Brussow's absence from the original Springbok test squad caused consternation in some quarters of the South African rugby community and along with Zane Kirchner he was considered to be particularly unlucky.

Burger will face a fitness test to see if he is ready to play against the Lions in the first test, but even if he does not play, it does not mean a definite start for Brussow, the team could turn to current squad member Danie Rossouw instead.

Speaking to the media regarding the call up, Springbok head coach Peter De Villiers said, "We brought in Heinrich Brussow in case Schalk won't make it but it is only precautionary. Schalk is one of the players that play a major role in my plans and I build almost 60% of whatever we do in the forwards around him so it will be a big blow for us if he doesn't make it. But I am positive that he will make it."

Asked about the pros and cons of the Brussow/Rossouw call, de Villiers said, "Rossouw is an honest, hard-working rugby player so it will be tough to make that decision."

Either way, the loss of Schalk Burger would be a major setback for the Springboks and after the departure of Lion Stephen Ferris, the absence of such a prominent Bok forward would give an interesting dynamic to the back-row battle.

Rory Kockott, the in-form scrum-half with the Sharks Super 14 franchise has not been included in the Springbok training squad announced today. The Bok training squad will face a Namibian Invitational XV on May 29 as the South African national side gear up for the test series against the Lions.

After a superb Super 14 campaign, the omission is a surprise. Despite his form, Kockott recently received a red card and one match ban for an ‘open-hand slap’ on Highlanders flanker Adam Thomson. Instead, head coach Peter de Villiers has opted for Ricky Januarie and the uncapped Jano Vermaak.

De Villiers’ squad includes 6 uncapped players and leaves for Windhoek on May 28 following a three day training camp. Neither Ruan Pienaar or Deon Carstens were considered for selection due to injury. De Villiers also expressed his hope that Pienaar would be available for the test series.

"Ruan is expected to be out for about three weeks and we will closely monitor his progress, I am hoping that he will be fit to play in the first Test against the Lions in Durban but we are fortunate in that we have adequate cover in the fly-half position if it is required".

Jaque Fourie was also exempt from consideration as he is getting married the day after the game against the Namibian Invitational side. Likewise, no players from the Blue Bulls were considered due to their involvement in the playoff stages for the Super 14 competition.

Springbok Training Squad

Andries Bekker, Heinrich Brüssow, Schalk Burger, Jean de Villiers, Jean Deysel*, Bismarck Du Plessis, Wian Du Preez*, Peter Grant, Adi Jacobs, Ricky Januarie, Ryan Kankowski, Tendai Mtawarira, Johan Muller, Odwa Ndungane, Morgan Newman*, Jongi Nokwe, JP Pietersen, Earl Rose*, John Smit (c), Juan Smith, Adriaan Strauss, Steven Sykes*, Jano Vermaak*.

*Denotes Uncapped Player

South Africa’s injury worries continue to grow with news today that Sharks utility back Francois Steyn is out for six to eight weeks with a knee injury. The first test in Durban on the 20th June is now less than 7 weeks away and the player faces a fitness battle to recover in time.

Following Conrad Jantjes leg break this weekend, Steyn was already pencilled in by many to fill the Springboks 15 shirt. 10 days earlier, the Lions are also due to face the Sharks in Durban and at this point it seems highly unlikely that Steyn will be fit for the mid-week clash.

Springbok head coach Peter De Villiers will also have concerns over a number of other players carrying minor injuries. Fourie du Preez has a calf strain, Andries Bekker a rib injury and Adrian Jacobs a shoulder problem.

South Africa have lost another likely test squad member ahead of the Lions tour this summer with the news that full-back Conrad Jantjes is out with a broken leg. The Stormers player was involved in a collision with Liam Messam of the Chiefs in the early stages of Saturday’s Super 14 game.

Jantjes has been a firm favourite with Springbok head coach Peter de Villiers since he took over the reigns prior to last years tri-nations and was a likely if not guaranteed test starter for the boks.

Jantjes becomes the most recent in a string of injury concerns for the Boks management following the loss of Butch James to ligament issues. Centre Jean De Villiers faces a fitness battle over a groin injury in the latest in a string of unfortunately timed injuries while Schalk Burger also limped off last Saturday with a calf strain. He is due for a scan today to assess the extent of the damage.

Springbok and Bath fly-half Butch James has been ruled out of the Lions test series due to a tear of his cruciate ligaments. The injury occurred last weekend in Bath’s hard-fought 15-14 win over Newcastle Falcons at Kingston Park.

James’ mediocre recent form made the world cup winning stand-off anything but a test certainty, but his experience will nevertheless be a huge loss for Peter de Villiers and the Springboks.

The South African will also miss the rest of Bath’s domestic season as the battle for a play off place and is due to undergo surgery within the next two weeks. All the best Butch.

Springboks head coach Peter De Villiers has expressed his surprise at the omission of a number of high profile names from the Lions squad, in particular, the three excluded home nations captains.

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live De Villiers said “The one thing that surprised me was that the leaders of three home nations weren't included in the squad. The guys that play under those guys respect them."

Asked about the selection of Paul O’Connell as Lions skipper ahead of Brian O’Driscoll, the Boks coach suggested he wouldn’t have made the same decision. "Brian O'Driscoll was the captain of the last Lions team, even though he got injured, and he was the captain of the most successful Six Nations team this year. That's a second big surprise."

Given the lack of surprise in the home nations regarding the makeup of the tour squad and the obvious two horse race that we’ve seen unfolding for the skipper berth, his surprise is somewhat... surprising. Watch out for a follow up article on the Springbok reaction to the tour announcement.

The British & Irish Lions touring party for 2009 was announced yesterday afternoon. The management have selected 37 players, 20 forwards and 17 backs in a squad loaded with bulk and power.

It was mostly as expected with a few surprise selections in the shape of Keith Earls and Ugo Monye and a couple of omissions, most notably Welsh captain Ryan Jones and Leicester and England forward Tom Croft who was widely expected to make the trip on the back of exceptional recent form. A full analysis of the touring party will be available later, but for now, a round-up of some of the news items surrounding the selection.


- Leicester Scrum-Half Harry Ellis, the only player from the English club to make the trip, has backed his team mate Tom Croft to make a quick recovery from the snub. Speaking to press Ellis said: “He’s young and I’m sure he’ll be in contention for the next Lions tours. We’ve got some massive games coming up in the Guinness Premiership play-offs and the semi-final of the Heineken Cup against Cardiff. Tom will have a huge role to play in these games and I know he will give 110% in each of them.”

- South African head coach Peter De Villiers has said he expected Brian O’Driscoll to emerge above Paul O’Connell for the captains armband. “I am surprised that Paul O’Connell got the captaincy ahead of Brian O’Driscoll. O’Driscoll was the most successful captain in the Six Nations and captained the Lions four years ago”.

Going further, the Boks coach added, “Having said that, O’Connell is the captain of Munster and has also captained Ireland at Test level and we will not underestimate his leadership capabilities.”

- Meanwhile, Lions assistant coach Warren Gatland, who heads-up the Welsh coaching team was typically abrupt when asked about the omission of Ryan Jones. “The squad has been picked on form and he is not playing well enough at the moment”.

- Leigh Halfpenny, surprise inclusion into the Lions test squad at just 20 years of age, the tour’s youngest player, has already made his ambition of a test place clear saying “On tour, the one thing you’ll want is to get the Test jersey on.”

- Jim Telfer, ex-Lions coach and veteran of two tours as a player, has condemned the inclusion of the only two Scots in the tour party as a damning inditement of Scottish rugby’s present state.