| 2009 British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 The 2009 Lions tour logo | |||||
| Date | 30 May – 4 July | ||||
| Coach |  Ian McGeechan | ||||
| Tour captain |  Paul O'Connell | ||||
| Test series winners |  South Africa (2–1) | ||||
| Top point scorer |  Stephen Jones (65) | ||||
| Top try scorer |  Ugo Monye (5) | ||||
| Top test point scorer | Stephen Jones (39) | ||||
| Top test try scorer(s) | Tom Croft (2)Shane Williams (2) | ||||
| Summary |
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| Total |
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| Test match |
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| Opponent |
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| South Africa |
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| Tour chronology | |||||
The2009 British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa was an internationalrugby union tour which took place in South Africa from May to July 2009.
TheBritish & Irish Lions played a three-match Test series againstSouth Africa, with matches inDurban,Pretoria andJohannesburg, as well as matches against six provincial teams, and a match against theEmerging Springboks, South Africa's second national team. The Lions won all six provincial matches and drew with the Emerging Springboks, 13–13.
South Africa won the Test series, defeating the Lions 26–21 in thefirst Test, and then 28–25 in thesecond Test. Thethird Test was won by the Lions 28–9. The highlight of the series was thesecond Test, which the Lions led until the 76th minute, when they fell 25–22 behind.Stephen Jones then scored a penalty to tie the score at 25–25 with only two minutes left, but two minutes into injury time,Morné Steyn scored a 52-metre penalty kick to win the match for South Africa, 28–25.
The tour followed the2005 British & Irish Lions tour to New Zealand and preceded the2013 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia.
The tour was confirmed by theSouth African Rugby Union on 21 September 2007. The Lions chief executive John Feehan stated in November 2007 that no home Test match would be played prior to departure, as had taken place in 2005, and that fewer players and personnel would go to South Africa than had gone to New Zealand in 2005.[1]
The Lions' tour manager wasGerald Davies,[2] the head coach wasIan McGeechan,[3] and the captain of the squad was Munster captain and Ireland lock,Paul O'Connell.[4]
The tour schedule was announced by the Lions and the South African Rugby Union (SARU) on 10 April 2008.[5] The final fixture confirmed was the game inPort Elizabeth; on 22 January 2009, SARU announced that they had received permission from the South African government to hold the match on theYouth Day national holiday on 16 June.[6] This match marked the debut of theSouthern Kings, a franchise formed in the Southern and Eastern Cape region, following the failure of theSouthern Spears.
Head coach Ian McGeechan had planned to take the Lions squad to the Spanish city ofGranada, at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains for a high-altitude training camp, but on 27 April he announced that it had been cancelled because of problems over player availability.[7] The Lions flew to South Africa on 24 May, arriving the following day.[8]
The format was similar to that of the Lions'2005 tour of New Zealand. As in 2005, six games were played before the first Test, and a mid-week game between the first and second Tests; unlike 2005, there was no mid-week game between the second and third Tests. Due to its unpopularity, "The Power of Four" anthem was not used on the 2009 tour.[9]
| Date | Home team | Score | Away team | Venue | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 May | Royal XV | 25–37 | British & Irish Lions | Royal Bafokeng Stadium,Rustenburg | Win |
| 3 June | Golden Lions | 10–74 | British & Irish Lions | Ellis Park Stadium,Johannesburg | Win |
| 6 June | Free State Cheetahs | 24–26 | British & Irish Lions | Free State Stadium,Bloemfontein | Win |
| 10 June | Sharks | 3–39 | British & Irish Lions | Kings Park Stadium,Durban | Win |
| 13 June | Western Province | 23–26 | British & Irish Lions | Newlands Stadium,Cape Town | Win |
| 16 June | Southern Kings | 8–20 | British & Irish Lions | Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium,Port Elizabeth | Win |
| 20 June | South Africa | 26–21 | British & Irish Lions | Kings Park Stadium,Durban | Loss |
| 23 June | Emerging Springboks | 13–13 | British & Irish Lions | Newlands Stadium,Cape Town | Draw |
| 27 June | South Africa | 28–25 | British & Irish Lions | Loftus Versfeld Stadium,Pretoria | Loss |
| 4 July | South Africa | 9–28 | British & Irish Lions | Ellis Park Stadium,Johannesburg | Win |
South Africa won the first Test inDurban 26–21. Leading 19–7 at half-time and 26–7 after 50 minutes, the Springboks had dominated the scrum until the Lions made several substitutions. The Lions mounted a strong comeback, scoring late tries throughTom Croft andMike Phillips, but South Africa held on. Inside the last ten minutes of the game, the Lions had two tries disallowed by the TMO. It was later described as an "unbelievable" Test match.[10]
The second Test atLoftus Versfeld in Pretoria was won by South Africa 28–25 with the last kick of the game – a penalty by Morné Steyn from inside his own half. The Lions had led 19–8 after an hour, but tries fromBryan Habana andJaque Fourie allowed South Africa to tie the score before Steyn's series-winning kick. It was described as "devastation" for the Lions, with the team ending the game "looking more like a scene from [American television series]ER as opposed to a rugby team".[11]
The week of the third Test was marked by controversy and intense media interest surrounding the suspended Springbok playersSchalk Burger andBakkies Botha after a very physical second Test.
Burger was yellow-carded in the first minute, after he appeared to gougeLuke Fitzgerald's eye. Burger was subsequently banned for eight weeks for "making contact with the face in the eye area." He was cleared of gouging, as his action was found to be "reckless" but not intentional.[12][13]
Burger was widely criticised, with many commentators believing he should have been sent off for the incident.[14][15]Brian O'Driscoll was among many who criticised South Africa coachPeter de Villiers after he said Burger's actions should not even have led to a yellow card.[16]
Bakkies Botha was banned for two weeks for a dangerous charge on propAdam Jones, which left Jones with a dislocated shoulder.[17] SA Rugby expressed their confusion over the reasons for Botha's ban with the coach calling it a "textbook cleanout". An appeal was lodged but the initial ruling was upheld. Coaches and players expressed concern about the impact such an interpretation might have on a core component of the game, with Lions player Phil Vickery and forwards coachWarren Gatland lending their support to Botha's case.[18] The injured Jones himself later came out in defence of Botha, saying:
The Springboks came out for the third Test wearing white armbands with the words "Justice 4 Bakkies" on, in protest over perceived inconsistencies in the citing process.[21] This protest was investigated by the IRB for allegedly "bringing the game in disrepute", and the team and management were fined accordingly.[22]
The Lions won the third Test on 4 July atEllis Park in Johannesburg, beating the Springboks 28–9, in whatThe Times called "one of the best and most heroic performances in the history of the Lions".[23] Having already won the series, the Springbok squad saw 10 changes from the previous week, and the Lions also saw substantial changes. The Lions led from the start, and Shane Williams scored two tries.[24] England lockSimon Shaw was sin-binned for striking Springboks scrum-halfFourie du Preez with his knee in this test and received a two-week ban as a result.[25] This was the first Test victory for the Lions in eight years, their last being inBrisbane in 2001.[26][27]
Jamie Roberts was voted the Lions' sponsors' 'Player of the Series' by British and Irish journalists.[28]
| 30 May 2009 15:00 |
| Royal XV | 25–37 |  British & Irish Lions |
| Try:Koch 17' c Barnes 26' m Roux 65' c Con:Olivier Viljoen Pen:Olivier (2) 9', 23' | Report[29] | Try:Bowe 38' c Byrne 67' c A.W. Jones 75' c O'Gara 79' c Con:O'Gara (4) Pen:O'Gara (3) 6', 42', 72' |
| Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg Attendance: 12,352[30] Referee:Marius Jonker (South Africa)[31] |
| 3 June 2009 19:10 |
| Golden Lions | 10–74 | British & Irish Lions |
| Try:Frolick 36' c Con:Pretorius Pen:Pretorius 14' | Report[32] | Try:Roberts (2) 6' c, 40' c O'Driscoll 10' c Monye (2) 21' m, 68' c Croft 29' c Bowe (2) 47' c, 57' c Hook 74' c Ferris 80' c Con:S. Jones (6/7) Hook (3/3) Pen:S. Jones (2) 12', 17' |
| Coca Cola Park, Johannesburg Attendance: 22,218[30] Referee:Craig Joubert (South Africa)[31] |
| 6 June 2009 15:00 |
| Free State Cheetahs | 24–26 | British & Irish Lions |
| Try:Demas 25' c du Preez 33' c Uys 72' c Con:Potgieter (2) Strydom Pen:Potgieter 41' | Report[33] | Try:Ferris 10' c Earls 16' c Con:Hook (2/2) Pen:Hook (4) 5', 19', 37', 49' |
| Vodacom Park, Bloemfontein Attendance: 23,710[30] Referee:Wayne Barnes (England)[31] |
| 10 June 2009 19:10 |
| Sharks | 3–39 | British & Irish Lions |
| Pen:Kockott 29' | Report[34] | Try:Mears 22' c Phillips 41' m Fitzgerald 59' c Byrne 67' c Heaslip 80' c Con:O'Gara (3/4) Hook (1/1) Pen:O'Gara (2) 48', 52' |
| ABSA Stadium, Durban Attendance: 21,530[30] Referee:Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa)[31] |
| 13 June 2009 15:00 |
| Western Province | 23–26 | British & Irish Lions |
| Try:Pietersen 63' m Pen:De Waal (4/5) 3', 40+2', 47', 60' Drop:De Waal (1/1) 19' Pietersen (1/2) 27' | Report[35] | Try:Bowe 28' m Monye 35' c M. Williams 55' m Con:S. Jones (1/3) Pen:S. Jones (2/3) 6', 11' Hook (1/2) 77' |
| Newlands Stadium, Cape Town Attendance: 34,176[30] Referee:Mark Lawrence (South Africa)[31] |
| 16 June 2009 15:00 |
| Southern Kings | 8–20 | British & Irish Lions |
| Try:Mbiyozo 71' m Pen:Van der Westhuyzen 1' | Report[36] | Try:Monye 49' c Penalty try 68' c Con:O'Gara (2/2) Pen:O'Gara (2/3) 26', 43' |
| Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth Attendance: 35,883[30] Referee:Nigel Owens (Wales)[31] |
First Test
| 20 June 2009 15:00 |
| South Africa | 26–21 | British & Irish Lions |
| Try:Smit 5' c Brüssow 46' c Con:Pienaar (2/2) Pen:Pienaar (3/4) 11', 32', 35' F. Steyn (1/2) 20' | Report[37] | Try:Croft (2) 22' c, 67' c Phillips 74' c Con:S. Jones (3/3) |
| ABSA Stadium, Durban Attendance: 47,813[30] Referee:Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand)[31] |
| 23 June 2009 19:10 |
| Emerging Springboks | 13–13 | British & Irish Lions |
| Try:Demas 80' c Con:De Waal (1/1) Pen:Rose (2/4) 37', 49' | Report[38] | Try:Earls 15' c Con:O'Gara (1/1) Pen:O'Gara (1/2) 8' Hook (1/1) 77' |
| Newlands Stadium, Cape Town Attendance: 39,418[30] Referee:Alain Rolland (Ireland)[31] |
Second Test
| 27 June 2009 15:00 |
| South Africa | 28–25 | British & Irish Lions |
| Try:Pietersen 12' m Habana 63' c Fourie 74' c Con:M. Steyn (2/2) Pen:F. Steyn (1/2) 40+1' M. Steyn (2/2) 68', 80+1' | Report[39] | Try:Kearney 7' c Con:S. Jones (1/1) Pen:S. Jones (5/5) 3', 15', 61', 70', 78' Drop:S. Jones (1/1) 36' |
| Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria Attendance: 52,511[30] Referee:Christophe Berdos (France)[31] |
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Third Test
| 4 July 2009 15:00 |
| South Africa | 9–28 | British & Irish Lions |
| Pen:M. Steyn (3/3) 12', 40+1', 68' | Report[40] | Try:S. Williams (2) 25' m, 33' c Monye 54' c Con:S. Jones (2/3) Pen:S. Jones (3/4) 9', 72', 73' |
| Coca-Cola Park, Johannesburg Attendance: 58,318 Referee:Stuart Dickinson (Australia)[31] |
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| Attendances | ||
|---|---|---|
| Matches | 10 | |
| Total Attendance | 347,929 | |
| Average Attendance | 34,793 | |
| Highest Attendance | align=
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| Lowest Attendance | align=
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The Lions announced a 37-man squad on 21 April 2009. Before the start of the tourTomás O'Leary,Tom Shanklin andJerry Flannery all withdrew because of injuries andAlan Quinlan was suspended. During the tour,Leigh Halfpenny,Stephen Ferris,Euan Murray,Lee Byrne,Adam Jones,Gethin Jenkins,Jamie Roberts andBrian O'Driscoll, as well as Ferris' replacementRyan Jones, were forced to withdraw from the squad due to injury.[41]Nathan Hines was suspended for one week because of a dangerous tackle against the Emerging Springboks.[42]
Notes: Ages listed are as of the first tour match on 30 May.Bold denotes that the player was selected for a previous Lions squad.
| Player | Position | Date of birth (age) | National team | Club/province | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jerry Flannery | Hooker | 17 October 1978 (age 31) | Ireland | Munster | Originally selected; withdrew before tour due to injury; replaced by Ross Ford |
| Ross Ford | Hooker | 23 April 1984 (age 24) | Scotland | Edinburgh | Replacement for Jerry Flannery before tour |
| Lee Mears | Hooker | 5 March 1979 (age 29) | England | Bath | |
| Matthew Rees | Hooker | 9 December 1980 (age 29) | Wales | Scarlets | |
| John Hayes | Prop | 2 November 1973 (age 36) | Ireland | Munster | Replacement for Euan Murray during tour |
| Gethin Jenkins | Prop | 17 November 1980 (age 29) | Wales | Cardiff Blues | |
| Adam Jones | Prop | 8 March 1981 (age 27) | Wales | Ospreys | Withdrew due to injury during tour |
| Euan Murray | Prop | 7 August 1980 (age 29) | Scotland | Northampton Saints | Withdrew due to injury during tour; replaced by John Hayes |
| Tim Payne | Prop | 9 April 1979 (age 29) | England | London Wasps | Replacement due to injury to Andrew Sheridan during tour |
| Andrew Sheridan | Prop | 1 November 1979 (age 30) | England | Sale Sharks | |
| Phil Vickery | Prop | 14 March 1976 (age 32) | England | London Wasps | |
| Nathan Hines | Lock | 29 March 1976 (age 32) | Scotland | Perpignan | Suspended for a week for a dangerous tackle against the Emerging Springboks |
| Alun Wyn Jones | Lock | 19 September 1985 (age 24) | Wales | Ospreys | |
| Donncha O'Callaghan | Lock | 24 March 1979 (age 29) | Ireland | Munster | |
| Paul O'Connell (c) | Lock | 20 October 1979 (age 30) | Ireland | Munster | |
| Simon Shaw | Lock | 1 September 1973 (age 36) | England | London Wasps | |
| Tom Croft | Flanker | 7 November 1985 (age 24) | England | Leicester Tigers | Replacement for Alan Quinlan before tour |
| Stephen Ferris | Flanker | 2 August 1985 (age 24) | Ireland | Ulster | Originally selected; withdrew due to injury during tour; replaced by Ryan Jones |
| Ryan Jones | Flanker | 13 March 1981 (age 27) | Wales | Ospreys | Replacement for Stephen Ferris; withdrew on arrival in South Africa due to previous injury |
| Alan Quinlan | Flanker | 13 July 1974 (age 35) | Ireland | Munster | Originally selected; suspended before tour; replaced by Tom Croft |
| David Wallace | Flanker | 8 July 1976 (age 33) | Ireland | Munster | |
| Martyn Williams | Flanker | 1 September 1975 (age 34) | Wales | Cardiff Blues | |
| Joe Worsley | Flanker | 14 June 1977 (age 32) | England | London Wasps | |
| Jamie Heaslip | Number eight | 15 December 1983 (age 26) | Ireland | Leinster | |
| Andy Powell | Number eight | 23 August 1981 (age 28) | Wales | Cardiff Blues | |
| Mike Blair | Scrum-half | 20 April 1981 (age 27) | Scotland | Edinburgh | Replacement for Tomás O'Leary before tour |
| Harry Ellis | Scrum-half | 17 May 1982 (age 26) | England | Leicester Tigers | |
| Tomás O'Leary | Scrum-half | 22 October 1983 (age 26) | Ireland | Munster | Originally selected; withdrew before tour due to injury; replaced by Mike Blair |
| Mike Phillips | Scrum-half | 29 August 1982 (age 27) | Wales | Ospreys | |
| James Hook | Fly-half | 27 June 1985 (age 24) | Wales | Ospreys | Replacement for Leigh Halfpenny before tour |
| Stephen Jones | Fly-half | 8 December 1977 (age 32) | Wales | Scarlets | |
| Ronan O'Gara | Fly-half | 7 March 1977 (age 31) | Ireland | Munster | |
| Gordon D'Arcy | Centre | 10 February 1980 (age 28) | Ireland | Leinster | Replacement due to injuries among backs |
| Keith Earls | Centre | 2 October 1987 (age 22) | Ireland | Munster | |
| Riki Flutey | Centre | 10 February 1980 (age 28) | England | London Wasps | |
| Brian O'Driscoll | Centre | 21 January 1979 (age 29) | Ireland | Leinster | Withdrew due to injury during tour |
| Jamie Roberts | Centre | 8 November 1986 (age 23) | Wales | Cardiff Blues | Named the 2009 Lions Player of the Series |
| Tom Shanklin | Centre | 24 November 1979 (age 30) | Wales | Cardiff Blues | Originally selected; withdrew before tour due to injury |
| Tommy Bowe | Wing | 22 February 1984 (age 24) | Ireland | Ospreys | |
| Luke Fitzgerald | Wing | 13 September 1987 (age 22) | Ireland | Leinster | |
| Leigh Halfpenny | Wing | 22 December 1988 (age 21) | Wales | Cardiff Blues | Originally selected; joined tour late due to injury; replaced by James Hook; withdrew due to recurrent injury |
| Ugo Monye | Wing | 13 April 1983 (age 25) | England | Harlequins | |
| Shane Williams | Wing | 26 February 1977 (age 32) | Wales | Ospreys | |
| Lee Byrne | Fullback | 1 June 1980 (age 29) | Wales | Ospreys | Withdrew during tour due to injury |
| Rob Kearney | Fullback | 26 March 1986 (age 22) | Ireland | Leinster |
23 backroom staff were appointed by the Lions, slightly down from the 26 on the2005 tour to New Zealand. The Lions reverted to having only one management structure, rather than a separate team for the midweek side. The tour manager was former Wales and Lions playerGerald Davies.[43]
| Name | Role | Home union | Nationality |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ian McGeechan | Head Coach[43] | Scotland | Scotland |
| Warren Gatland | Forwards Coach[43] | Wales |  New Zealand |
| Graham Rowntree | Scrummaging Coach[43] | England | England |
| Rob Howley | Attack Coach[43] | Wales | Wales |
| Shaun Edwards | Defence Coach[43] | Wales | England |
| Neil Jenkins | Kicking Coach | Wales | Wales |
Rugby union tours of South Africa | |
|---|---|
| British & Irish Lions | |
| New Zealand | |
Australia  | |
Argentina  | |
| England | |
France  | |
| Ireland | |
Italy  | |
| Scotland | |
| Wales | |
Fiji  | |
Samoa  | |
Tonga  | |
| Various selections |
|
