Lions vs South Africa LIVE – Score updates as Gatlands men eye series victory
The British and Irish Lions will be looking to wrap up a series win over South Africa with victory in Cape Town.
Warren Gatland's side came from behind to seal a 22-17 success seven days ago and will be hoping for a repeat against the world champions.
The former Wales coach has made three changes to the team, bringing in Mako Vunipola, Conor Murray and Chris Harris.
However the hosts and their coach Rassie Erasmus have come out fighting this week.
He posted an hour-long video taking issue with the refereeing decisions whilst his captain Siya Kolisi has said that he "didn't feel respected at all" by referee Nic Berry.
The Lions are looking for revenge having lost their last series in South Africa 12 years ago.
Yellow card
The Lions are down to 14 for the next ten minutes.
The Scottish winger is sent to the sin bin for illegally stopping Kolbe.
Potential trouble here
An act of foul player is being checked by the officials.
Van der Merwe may have tripped Kolbe, if so he's in the bin for 10 minutes.
Du Toit off
Du Toit, a former world player of the year, is off. He was heavily strapped, but it hasn't helped.
Smith comes on to replace the back rower – but that's a huge moment in this game.
Dan on the money
Springboks miss chance
The Lions looked to have secured a turnover in their own half only for Murray to get pinned at the breakdown.
You'd have thought for all money that Pollard would level the game, but no!
The fly-half drags his kick wide – he doesn't miss many.
Lawes putting himself about
Lions ahead
Bigger's boot puts the Lions ahead.
The tourists enjoyed a sustained period in the South Africa half.
They looked to have worked a move down the left but Watson's pass went to ground.
Lions playing with the advantage though.
Lions defence
The tourists withstand another dose of South Africa pressure.
Eventually a penalty comes for the Lions, which will have been a relief.
Kolbe seemed to have a half chance, but he was quickly shut down.
Lions level
The Lions look to use Van der Merwe's power from the scrum, but South Africa defend well.
However they give away a penalty in defence and Biggar slots it home from right in front.
We're level in Cape Town.
Chance Lions
Biggar goes to the boot and thumps it into the sky.
Le Roux tries to claim it on his own five metre line but knocks on.
The Lions now have a huge chance.
Hosts on front foot
Five minutes in and South Africa have enjoyed 94 per cent of the ball.
They exit effectively following Pollard's penalty.
Lions get themselves a penalty after a dangerous tacke.
Biggar thumps it down to the Springboks' 22.
Springboks take the lead
The hosts tried to power their way through the front door.
Playing with the advantage they threw it out to Kolbe, but the winger couldn't work his magic.
Pollard kicks the game's first points. 3-0 to the world champions.
Emotion spills over
Already we have our first scuffle which involves nearly every player on the pitch.
The captains have been given a talking to already by the ref.
South Africa try and drive from a lineout but the ball is deemed unplayable.
Scrum to the hosts about 10 metres out.
Springbok muscle
The hosts look to use their strength early on, going through several phases on halfway.
Eventually they win a penalty which gets kicked deep into Lions territory.
Kick-off
South Africa get us underway!
Anthems
The national anthem of South Africa is being performed.
We're minutes away here. The Lions are probably narrow favourites heading into this one.
South Africa have certainly stoked the fire this week – will it pay off?
A final reminder of your Lions team
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10 minute until kick-off
The final countdown is on.
This match really is a classic winner takes all – will the Lions secure a second series win in eight years or can the Springboks take it to a decider.
Back in 2009 the second test wrote itself into the history books as one of the greatest games ever played.
A repeat would be just perfect thanks.
Vunipola starts
Mako Vunipola is one of three man to come into the starting XV.
The Saracen replaces Rory Sutherland and will be tasked with helping gain dominance at scrum time.
Mighty Maro
The Saracens lock was a class act seven days ago and will again need to be at his best.
Rassie’s rant
Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus has not held back in his assessment on last weekend's refereeing performance.
He posted an hour-long video in which he questioned the respect shown to his team.
"The Lions only comes around every 12 years and I think it should be fair that I'll step away from these last two Test matches," Erasmus said.
"But let the Springboks and the Lions have an equal chance on the field when it comes to laws, respect, the way players are treated, what is said in the coaches' pre-match meeting with the referees, how they give feedback post-match and how things are said in the media.
"It's comical the respect the [officials] showed towards the South African players compared to the Lions players.
"When Siya spoke to the referee and when Alun Wyn [Jones] spoke to the referee, I just felt the reactions on how they treated both those players, there was a vast difference between who he was taking serious and who he wasn't taking serious."
Leader
Gatland on selection
"As always, selection was incredibly tough," said Gatland.
"However, we've made the changes we think are the right calls for the weekend's game."
He then added: "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."
South Africa XV
South Africa: Le Roux; Kolbe, Am, De Allende, Mapimpi; Pollard, De Klerk; Kitshoff, Mbonambi, Malherbe, Etzebeth, Mostert, Kolisi, Du Toit, Wiese
Replacements: Marx, Nyakane, Koch, De Jager, Van Staden, Smith, H Jantjies, Willemse.
Lions VX
Hogg; A Watson, Harris, Henshaw, Van der Merwe; Biggar, Murray; Vunipola, Cowan-Dickie, Furlong, Itoje, AW Jones, Lawes, Curry, Conan.
Replacements: Owens, Sutherland, Sinckler, Beirne, Faletau, Price, Farrell, Daly.
Watching the Lions
The Lions will be looking to seal a series victory this evening.
The game against South Africa kicks-off at 5pm.
You can watch the contest on Sky Sports Main Event or keep up to date with our live updates here on Mirror Sport.
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