Springbok legend Gary Teichmann is having a tough week. As well as being constantly reminded of the British & Irish Lions’ Test series win in South Africa 12 years ago, today is the 10th anniversary of the opening of the Millennium Stadium.
And as every Welsh man and woman recalls, on Saturday, 26 June, 1999, Wales beat the Springboks for the first time in 91 years. Teichmann was captain of the South African side that day as they slipped to a 29-19 defeat to a Welsh side led by current Lions assistant coach Rob Howley.
As regards the Lions tour, Teichmann was in Durban last weekend to see the Boks win the first Test 26-21. Now he expects them to go on and win the series and erase the memory of when he led his country in that 2-1 series defeat against Martin Johsnon’s 1997 Lions.
“I don’t think that series defeat is ever going to leave me – it will be on my back forever. But if John Smit’s side can win this series it will help to blur the memory a little,” added Teichmann.
“I saw the Boks win in Durban and the Lions simply left themselves with too much to do after slipping 19 points behind. Now they have to go out there and win in Pretoria.
“They are capable of doing that, but it is a very difficult place to win and the support for a South African side containing so many Blue Bulls is going to be very strong.
“I think the Springboks can clinch the series this weekend. If they don’t then the final game in Johannesburg is going to be huge.”
The second Lions match is exclusively live and in high definition this Saturday on Sky Sports 1 at 1.00pm
