British and Irish Lions coach Ian McGeechan has once again praised the character of his team, as they braved the testing conditions at Newlands on Saturday to edge a willing Western Province team 26-23 and keep their unblemished record on tour in South Africa intact.

Addressing a media gathering after the match McGeechan spoke of being able to "take a lot out of that game", but also the need for his team to show "more patience" at times.

With a week to go to the opening Test of the three-match series against the Springboks, the Lions' veteran mentor spoke of the need to "be aware what is the right rugby at the right time".

The Lions needed a long-range penalty from replacement James Hook in the 76th minute to seal a hard fought win over the gutsy home team - a game in which the pre-match showers and blustery wind ensured kicking was always going to be at a premium.

Despite a polished second-half performance from WP flyhalf Willem de Waal, which kept his team in the game, the Lions again showed their ability to close out tight games - something that will stand them in good stead in the Tests against the Boks.

"It was a good game of rugby and I am pleased to come out of it winning," McGeechan said, when asked on his thoughts of the game.

"You cannot underestimate how tough the conditions and the opposition were," McGeechan said, adding: "We always knew this was going to be the strongest team to play up to present and the conditions were always going to make it a bit of a lottery if you didn't control the ball."

He admitted that his team made some tactical errors, although he praised their fighting spirit.

"Maybe we tried to play a bit too much rugby at times. In blustery conditions on wet grass and with a wet ball there was always going to be a relatively high error count.

"We could have had a bit more patience with our kicking game, it would have been nice to get the scoreboard ticking to keep the gap between the two teams, which we didn't quite manage.

"But the attitude of the players and focus on the field when it is coming down to the wire shows how much winning is important to us.

"I didn't expect there be to be a lot of momentum in the game so it came down to a kicking game. I think Province kicked a lot of there attacking ball so that does restrict you. There is only so much you can do is those sorts of conditions.

"Maybe we just have to have a bit more patience about how we play when a team is doing that."

The wily Lions coach also felt his team's set piece play is an aspect that is in good nick one week out from the start of the Test series.

"Our line-out and scrum is going very well and our breakdown work today, against a very good back row, was very pleasing. They game was always going to be a yard slower in those conditions.

"With a strong kicking game against us it was always going to be a bit of cat and mouse."

The other aspect that had McGeechan purring was the creative play his team put on the table, despite the blustery and wet conditions.

"What really pleased me was the efficiency of the three tries. I thought there was some very good rugby in all three of them."

His team's ability to "soak up" pressure and turn that into a positive will also come in handy when they take it up a step against the Springboks

"Each time we've been under pressure we've responded very positively and with great play, which shows how much the players are working for it. We saw that again [against Western Province].

"There are a number of players playing well and each time we are putting a team on the field, the players are responding. As a coach you can't ask for any more than that.

"You keep starting with new combinations but the players have really bought into what we are doing, and it doesn't matter who is alongside who, they're playing really hard for one another."

McGeechan also paid tribute to Ireland wing Tommy Bowe, who scored one try (his fourth in three games) and creating another for Ugo Monye in the first half.

"He is playing well," said McGeechan.

"He's a very strong runner and if there is space, you want the players to have the confidence to play."

The Lions coach also spoke of some tough selection calls he will have to make ahead of the first Test with South Africa.

Fullback Rob Kearney, who limped off during the second half, should be fit for the opening Test. McGeechan described the injury as a dead leg.

Scrumhalf Mike Blair had earlier withdrawn from bench duty due to a foot problem.

The Lions now head to Port Elizabeth, where they face the Southern Kings on Tuesday - their last outing before the opening Test against the Boks in Durban next Saturday, June 20.