The Free State Cheetahs coach, Naka Drotske, who started the first two Tests for South Africa in the 1997 series against the British and Irish Lions, has said that if he were a member of the current tourists' management he would be concerned about the quality of the opposition leading up to the first match against the Springboks on 20 June.

The Cheetahs are expected to provide the Lions tomorrow with their toughest warm-up game, but they finished bottom of the Super 14 and will be without five of their leading players, including the Springbok flanker Juan Smith. Only 18,000 tickets have been sold so far for the match, which will take place in a stadium that holds 48,000.

"I thought the Lions played very well against the Golden Lions on Wednesday, but they were not up against much of a defence," said Drotske, who spent three years playing for London Irish from 2001. "If I was [the Lions head coach] Ian McGeechan, the warm-up games would be a worry to me. He needs at least two really tough matches before the first Test so he can see how combinations react under pressure, but I am not sure he is going to get them.

"My guys will definitely be up for the game because they know how rare an opportunity they have, with the Lions only touring here every 12 years, but we are not the richest side in South Africa and we do not have the biggest pool of players to choose from. We have lost 13 players in the last two years, five to Europe, but we can play a bit and I am confident we will ask questions of the Lions.

"I think the Lions' itinerary will definitely give the Boks an advantage going into the first Test because the Sharks [on 10 June] and Western Province [13 June] will both be fielding weakened sides. I have found going into the Super 14 that if your warm-up matches are not demanding, you struggle in the opening game and the question is whether they [the Lions] will be battle-hardened.

"I would have preferred that the South Africa squad be made available for the warm-up matches, certainly those guys who are not automatic choices, but Peter de Villiers [the Springboks head coach] has his reasons and you have to respect them. But it certainly takes away from the build-up.

"The Boks do not have any [more] warm-up matches [after beating a Namibia XV 36–7 in Windhoek last week], but they have a core of experienced players who have been together for years. The first Test will in my view decide the series and for me there are two considerations for South Africa: they must pick a proven goal-kicker, something we did not do in 1997 until the series was lost, and they must have a recognised tight-head, not John Smit [the captain, who is usually a hooker], otherwise the Lions will have a big advantage in the scrums."

Drotske said South Africa did not underestimate the Lions 12 years ago, when they went into the series as overwhelming favourites only to lose the first two Tests.

"It was simply that we did not have a goal-kicker. Jannie de Beer was in the form of his life, but he did not make the side until the final game.

"We scored three tries to nil in the second Test but lost by three points because we did not kick any of our goals. Having played in England, I know how tough the Lions will be. The Lions have more depth than us, their set pieces are better and the return of the maul will suit them.

"We play a faster game here and it is interesting [that] in their opening two games the Lions have moved the ball from deep positions rather than kicking it, as sides did in the Six Nations. That indicates to me that they are developing a game to fall back on should they find themselves behind against South Africa.

"I think it will be a close, fascinating series between two good sides. I have played against some of the Lions players and in guys like Phil Vickery and Andrew Sheridan they have forwards who can demolish an opposition scrum. That is why South Africa's choice at tight-head is so important.

"The Cheetahs will be looking to do our bit for South Africa on Saturday and we will certainly put up a better challenge than the Golden Lions, but we know we are starting as the underdogs."