Cape Town (AFP)

Final bouquet or new showdown?

Disappointing so far in terms of the game, the tour of the British and Irish Lions in South Africa will end on Saturday in Cape Town (6 p.m. French, GMT + 2) at the end of the third decisive test, probably the rugby match. most important of the year.

"We can hardly do bigger than that," summed up Warren Gatland, the Lions coach, a "dream team" every four years bringing together the best English, Scottish, Welsh and Irish players.

Their tours in the Southern Hemisphere, alternating between Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, are as much - if not more - expected than the World Cup in the countries concerned.

But after two first closed and bumped shocks, won in turn by the Lions (22-17) and the South African world champions (27-9), this 2021 vintage is leaving fans and fans hungry for the moment. rugby.

"It's not a pretty sight," said former All Blacks coach Graham Henry, calling on both teams to take more risks offensively rather than showing their muscles.

He was partially heard by his compatriot Gatland, who made six changes for this "beautiful", including four from the back lines.

New Zealand coach of the British and Irish Lions Warren Gatland before the test match against South Africa on July 24, 2021 in Cape Town PHILL MAGAKOE AFP / Archives

Assistant attacking coach Gregor Townsend admitted on the eve of the match that the Lions had to "create more" if they were to win their first tour since 2013 in Australia.

"We know that we will have to control the game more by getting the South Africans moving, by tiring them out as soon as we can," said the Scottish technician.

- A Frenchman on the whistle -

The Welsh wisp Liam Williams, a good raiser, notably replaces at the rear a Stuart Hogg not as flamboyant during the first two tests as what he is used to showing in the jersey of Scotland.

The choice in the center of the Irish pair Aki-Henshaw, particularly at ease under the high balls, however suggests that the Lions will not completely abandon the game at the foot of occupation which they have used excessively until then, without much success (only one try in two matches).

The South African Damian Willemse (c) ball in hand in the middle of his training partners, August 6, 2021 in Cape Town RODGER BOSCH AFP

She also criticized for her conservative approach, South Africa defended herself by the voice of her assistant coach Deon Davids: "There is an idea behind what we do. We must try to understand what we are trying to do. propose. I believe in our tactics ".

The reigning world champions will have to compose without two of their centerpieces, the third row Pieter-Steph du Toit, named best player in the world in 2019, and the scrum-half Faf de Klerk, both injured.

After a year 2020 without a single match due to the Covid-19 pandemic, their coach Jacques Nienaber recalled that they had the opportunity to write history by chaining a World Cup coronation and a winning streak against the Lions.

The Springboks will rely on their 100% Montpellier hinge, with Cobus Reinach and Handré Pollard, and on two other Top 14 figures, Toulouse winger Cheslin Kolbe and Toulon second row Eben Etzebeth.

South African scrum-half Cobus Reinach scores a try in a test match against Georgia on July 2, 2021 in Pretoria PHILL MAGAKOE AFP / Archives

Another regular in the French championship will set foot on the Cape Town Stadium on Saturday, whose stands will be empty again.

The Catalan Mathieu Raynal was chosen to referee this "final".

Not necessarily a gift, on the eve of his 40th birthday, as arbitration has been the subject of strong criticism in recent weeks.

© 2021 AFP