The former Lions full-back Jason Robinson believes that hubris could be the undoing of the Springboks in the forthcoming Test series, just as it was 12 years ago.
Robinson, who was at a school in a Johannesburg township as part of his role as the head of the community outreach programme run by the Lions' main sponsors, HSBC, along with the South Africa wing Bryan Habana, feels the tourists' status as rank underdogs will work in their favour, as it did in 1997.
"For the first time since I retired from playing 18 months ago I would not mind putting my boots on again," said Robinson, a Lion in 2001 and 2005 who will be part of Sale's coaching team next season. "I watched videos of the 1974 and 1997 Lions in South Africa before I flew out here and they brought the memories flooding back.
"Being part of a Lions squad is a privilege and the players out here must make the most of their opportunity. When I played, South Africa were the most physical side around and nothing has changed in that regard.
"The Lions have to front up physically but they also have pace in the likes of Shane Williams, Ugo Monye and Leigh Halfpenny out wide. Shane has shown what he can do in South Africa and he will be a huge asset. I offered something a bit different for the Lions in 2001 because I knew how to spot a gap. When you play against a big team the last thing they want running at them is someone with quick feet."
Robinson's last appearance for England was against South Africa in the 2007 World Cup final in Paris, having been the only player in white to live up to his reputation in the pool match between the sides at Stade de France the previous month.
"I think South Africa are better now than they were then," he said. "Habana is back to his best form and the core of the side has been together for a long time. The Lions did not make the best of starts at the weekend but there is a long way to go and we still do not know who is going to emerge.
"The players who started last Saturday will be aware that they cannot afford another bad game and the breakdown is an area that has to be sorted out. The Lions will get nowhere unless the forwards can create a platform for the backs and they have to raise the bar against Golden Lions on Wednesday.
"I am going to stick my neck out and go for a Lions victory in the series. People here are writing them off and saying it will be 3–0 to the Springboks but they are also still on about the 1997 tour. The Lions have to do their talking on the field. They have a top squad of players who have been playing well throughout the season and I think they will stand up and deliver."
