Lions vs South Africa, Test Two: Who has the heavier pack? And more interesting stats

Friday, 30 July 2021 at 18:20

byRugby Rucker

The British & irish Lions Lions will be able to wrap up the three-match series against the Springboks this weekend following their stunning 22-17 comeback victory in the first Test.

Warren Gatland: “As always, selection was incredibly tough. However, we’ve made the changes we think are the right calls for the weekend’s game.

“We know the Springboks will be hurting and they’ll throw everything at us on Saturday, but I think there’s plenty more to come from us too.

“We feel we can go up another level from where we were in the first Test and I would expect us to improve.

“It’s the biggest game on the Tour and we have to embrace the expectation that comes with it. As players and coaches, these are the games you want to be involved in.

“We’re relishing the opportunity to face the Springboks again on Saturday and potentially seal a series win.”

MOST CAPS:

South Africa: Eben Etzebeth - 87
Lions: Alun Wyn Jones - 149

FEWEST CAPS:

South Africa: Jasper Wiese - 1
Lions: Duhan van de Merwe - 11

YOUNGEST PLAYER:

South Africa: Jasper Wiese - 25
Lions: Tom Curry - 23

OLDEST PLAYER:

South Africa:
Lions: Alun Wyn Jones - 35

HEAVIEST PLAYER:

South Africa: Frans Malherbe - 125kg
Lions: Alun Wyn Jones - 122kg

LIGHTEST PLAYER:

South Africa: Cheslin Kolbe - 80kg
Lions: Ali Price - 88kg

PACK WEIGHT:

South Africa: - 917kg (+30kg on last week)
Lions: 920kg (+3kg on last week)

Odds

South Africa 2/1

Draw: 18/1

Lions: 1/4

Prediction

South Africa 13-30 Lions

MATCH FACTS:

The match will kick off at 5pm BST in Cape Town a on Saturday 31 July
Sky Sports will air the fixture live

LINE-UPS:

South Africa: Willie le Roux; Cheslin Kolbe, Lukhanyo Am, Damian de Allende, Makazole Mapimpi; Handré Pollard, Faf de Klerk; Steven Kitshoff, Bongi Mbonambi, Frans Malherbe, Eben Etzebeth, Franco Mostert, Siya Kolisi (captain), Pieter-Steph du Toit, Jasper Wiese.

Ken Owens, Rory Sutherland, Kyle Sinckler, Tadhg Beirne, Taulupe Faletau, Ali Price, Owen Farrell, Elliot Daly.

Replacements: Malcolm Marx, Trevor Nyakane, Vincent Koch, Lood de Jager, Marco van Staden, Kwagga Smith, Herschel Jantjies, Damian Willemse.

British & Irish Lions: Stuart Hogg; Anthony Watson, Chris Harris, Robbie Henshaw, Duhan van der Merwe; Dan Biggar, Conor Murray; Mako Vunipola, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Tadhg Furlong, Maro Itoje, Alun Wyn Jones (captain), Courtney Lawes, Tom Curry, Jack Conan.

Replacements: