"We're the best, and we're here to beat you."

Those were the words British & Irish Lions legend Willie John McBride roared every time he led the famous touring side out onto the field – no wonder the previously unflappable Springboks were stopped dead in their tracks in 1974.

McBride steered the Lions ‘Invincibles’ to 21 wins and a draw from their 22 matches in South Africa during that memorable three-and-a-half month Tour.

A veteran of four Tours already, the Irishman knew exactly what it took to do the famous red jersey justice, but that small act of defiance served as a reminder to those behind him as he led them onto the field.

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And while McBride featured in 13 clashes on that Tour, only one ‘member’ of the party was an ever-present in the side.

The Lions mascot, which McBride still treasures to this day, was carried onto the pitch with the side for every one of the 22 skirmishes against South African opposition.