While the British and Irish Lions view their final midweek match, on their South African safari, as a 'trial', their opponents, the Emerging Springboks, hope to strike a psychological blow for their compatriots.

However, the carefully conceived plans of both teams - the Emerging Boks and B&I Lions - in Tuesday's Newlands showdown could be blown away by the powerful Westerly that will be bringing in a huge storm.

Both teams will hope that the storm clouds would have blow over by the 19.10 kick-off, but it's likely to still be very unpleasant.

While the wet conditions will certainly affect both teams' game plans, it is the 75km-per-hour winds that are likely to have the most telling influences.

Emerging Boks coach Dick Muir admitted that the conditions will influence his team's approach, although he felt they were well equipped to cope with whatever mother nature throws at them.

With Earl Rose at flyhalf it appears the South Africans would have hoped to produce a spectacle, but now Rose may have to produce his best kicking game.

"One thing you got to be sure of, is that if the conditions allow us to play rugby - if it is not rainy and wet - then we certainly want to move the ball around," Muir told a media gathering, when quizzed about his team's approach.

He said he felt the Lions have also shown their hand and would also like to more adventurous, although they can play a tactical kicking game.

But he is confident his own team is flexible enough to adapt on the day.

"I feel with the group we've got we've got that same sort of balance, where we can play a tighter game and we can play an expansive game as well," Muir said.

His Lions counterpart, Ian McGeechan, has made no secret of the fact that he will be using the game as a trial, ahead of selection his team for the second Test.

"We will look at some players with view to combinations we might put together for Saturday [against the Springboks]," McGeechan said.

The other important factor for the tourists is to put the first Test loss behind them and get a win under the belt, to heal their bruised egos and restore their battered pride.

"It is always important, when you've had a defeat, to be able to come back well," the Lions coach said, adding: "It is different opposition and a different set of players [in the Lions team]. And in many respects it is a much bigger challenge, which is not a bad thing for the players that are going to have their opportunity [on Tuesday]."

The Lions mentor admitted that he doesn't know too much about the opposition as a team, but said he knows the individuals.

He said that in some respects he envies Bok coach Peter de Villiers, who can take the entire week to prepare for the second Test, while the Lions have a midweek game to take care of first.

"However, in other respects it is quite important for us to play some of the players and get some players game time with a view to what selections we might make for Saturday," the Lions coach, McGeechan, added.

Muir also saw an advantage for South Africa in playing the midweek fixture - especially given the quality of the players he has in his squad.

"There is an opportunity there," Muir said about handing the tourists their second consecutive defeat.

"We are al working towards a common goal and that is for South Africa to win the [Test] series and it would be an added bonus to make it two defeats in a row.

"The Lions did come off six wins in a row before slipping in the Test, where they ran us close. Now we have a chance to knock them back again."

Muir also felt the Southern Kings, with their physical approach last week, gave a few pointers on how to tackle the Lions.

"The Kings really got stuck in and we'll take that area of the game into our preparation," the Emerging Boks coach said.

Muir, who is backline coach for the senior side, said his charges were capable of overcoming a lack of preparation - having had just three days in Durban with the Bok team and only got together on Sunday again.

"It would have been better to have worked together through the weekend, but there's a lot of synergy and excitement in the team, a lot of enthusiasm in the group."

Players to watch:

For the Emerging Springboks: Considering all the column centimetres that were written about him and the manner in which Springbok coach Peter de Villiers sung his praises, there is no doubt the spotlight will shine brightest on Earl Rose. Others who could use the game to make a strong statement about senior Bok selection include fullback Zane Kirchner, centre Morgan Newman, scrumhalf Jano Vermaak, lock Steven Sykes and prop Wian du Preez.

For the British and Irish Lions: There is plenty of class throughout this Lions team, not to mention the number of players that can forward their Test claims. There is Shane Williams on the wing, Ronan O'Gara at flyhalf and Nathan Hines at lock. But, considering their scrum problems, perhaps the players with most to gain are new props John Hayes and Tim Payne.

Head to head: There could, potentially, be many intriguing duels across the park, but given the conditions the most crucial position may well be flyhalf. Here we will be able to see Emerging Bok Earl Rose up against veteran Ronan O'Gara. There is no better stage than this to show if the faith shown by the coaches are justified. Another youngster who could enhance his reputation is Emerging Bok scrumhalf Jano Vermaak, who will be up against England's Harry Ellis.

Previous results:
1997: Lions won 51-22

iafrica.com Prediction: The biggest problem with making these predictions is knowing how different players will react to the conditions - especially those as testing as what is expected at Newlands on Tuesday. The British and Irish players are more familiar with the wintry conditions that they will encounter at Newlands. They also appear better equipped - especially in the backs - to deal with the weather. You would expect then that they would have the edge. We believe the B&I Lions will win by 10 to 15 points.

Teams:

Emerging Springboks: 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Luzuko Vulindlu, 13 Deon van Rensburg, 12 Morgan Newman, 11 Bjorn Basson, 10 Earl Rose, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Jean Deysel, 6 Dewald Potgieter (captain), 5 Wilhelm Steenkamp, 4 Steven Sykes, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Bandise Maku, 1 Wian du Preez.
Replacements: 16 Tiaan Liebenberg, 17 Patric Cilliers, 18 Franco van der Merwe, 19 Jacques Botes, 20 Heini Adams, 21 Willem de Waal, 22 Danwel Demas.

British & Irish Lions: 15 Keith Earls, 14 Shane Williams, 13 Riki Flutey, 12 Gordon D'Arcy, 11 Luke Fitzgerald, 10 Ronan O'Gara (captain), 9 Harry Ellis, 8 Andy Powell, 7 Martyn Williams, 6 Joe Worsley, 5 Nathan Hines, 4 Donncha O'Callaghan, 3 John Hayes, 2 Ross Ford, 1 Tim Payne
Replacements: 16 Lee Mears, 17 Phil Vickery, 18 Simon Shaw, 19 David Wallace, 20 Mike Blair, 21 James Hook, 22 Ugo Monye

Date: Tuesday, June 23
Venue: Newlands, Cape Town
Kick-off: 19.10 (17.10 GMT)
Expected weather: Numerous showers and Cool. High 15°C, low 11°C. Wind 75km/h West
Referee: Alain Rolland (Ireland)
Assistant referee: Nigel Owens (Wales), Craig Joubert (South Africa)
TMO: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)

365

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