Jacques Nienaber

Never in the long history of the British and Irish Lions has there been a series that remotely resembles that which starts against South Africa at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday. © Shaun Roy/Backpagepix

British & Irish Lions | Springboks aiming to be the only side in the Southern Hemisphere to win the series in the last 12 years

The Springboks will be representing the pride and recent history of the Southern Hemisphere when they take on the British & Irish Lions.

Jacques Nienaber

Never in the long history of the British and Irish Lions has there been a series that remotely resembles that which starts against South Africa at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday. © Shaun Roy/Backpagepix

The Springboks will be representing the pride and recent history of the Southern Hemisphere when they take on the British & Irish Lions.

The three-match Test series has not been won by either New Zealand or Australia in recent times with the 2009 Bok side the last of the Rugby Championship sides to win.

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Jacques Nienaber’s charges certainly have the potential to win the series as they are packed World Cup winners.

GATLAND’S CHARGES MAKE HISTORY IN AUSTRALIA IN 2013

In 2013, The British & Irish Lions secured their first series victory after defeating Australia 2-1. They won the first match 23-21 before Australia tied it up, winning 16-15 in the second Test. This would set up a series decider where the Lions secured the series after a convincing 41-16 victory.

History was made in Australia by Warren Gatland’s side who looked the better side in every facet of play. They dominated the Australian forwards and ran around their defense with the likes of Jonathan Davies. Leigh Halfpenny and George North putting in monumental displays under a man who coached them with Wales.

They overwhelmed Australia with their intensity, power and passion and thoroughly deserved a first Test series win since 1997.

DRAWN SERIES IN NZ WAS A SERIES CLASSIC

Gatland’s side went on to build from this 4 years later, drawing the series in NZ and making history.

NZ won the first test 30-15 before a famous 24-21 triumph in Wellington drew the series. The decider was then drawn 15-15 in an absolute thriller, leaving both sides in awe after a classic series.

It was a bittersweet ending for both sides who played their hearts out in pursuit of the series victory. There was a controversial offside penalty that should have been given to the All Blacks with minutes left on the clock but the final result was a fair reflection of both side’s efforts.

The series was played with the utmost intensity and class. Davies once again starred along with South African CJ Stander and fellow Englishmen Jamie George and Maro Itoje who returns to face the Springboks. The trophy and series was shared, maintaining Gatland’s streak since taking charge in 2009.

LEGENDARY 2009 SPRINGBOKS SECURE VICTORY

The 2009 Springbok side triumphed 2-1 after winning the first Test 26-21 and the second 28-25.

Morne Steyn famously kicked a 52m penalty after the hooter to secure the series victory at Loftus in the second test after two epic test matches. The Lions won the final test match 28-9 but it was all but wrapped up by then with only pride at stake.

A legendary Springbok side featuring Beast Mtawarira. John Smit, Bismarck du Plessis. Bakkies, Victor Matfield, Schalk Burger, Juan Smith, Fourie Du Preez, Morne Steyn, Bryan Habana, Jean de Villiers, Jaque Fourie and prime Francois Steyn. This is one of the best side’s to represent South Africa.

The current Bok side is looking to write themselves into the history books as they seek to secure their legacy after winning the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

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The Springbok side that won in 2009 followed up from a famous World Cup triumph in 2007.

Now, the defending world champions are looking to repeat history by securing the British & Irish Lions series.