Warren Gatland today warned South Africa that the Lions would not take a backward step in tomorrow's second Test in Pretoria and that the bullying tactics employed in Durban last weekend would backfire.
The dismantling of the Lions' scrum in the opening minutes of the first Test had a knock-on effect with the Springboks meeting little resistance when they drove mauls or shoved players to the ground.
But Gatland, the Lions forwards coach, said that would not be the case at Loftus Versfeld with a reshuffled pack and a greater emphasis on the tight phases.
"South Africa like to bully teams mentally and then dominate them," said Gatland. "They were pushing players off the ball and the likes of Bryan Habana and Bismarck du Plessis were in our faces. I will be very surprised if we take a backward step from any physical threat posed by the Springboks.
"It all started at the scrum last week. What happens there has a huge psychological bearing on a side and if we are to level the series, we not only have to negate their physical threat but scrummage well, be accurate in the line-out and keep our discipline."
It has shades of 1989 when, after losing the first Test to Australia having picked a running side, the Lions changed their team and their tactics, tightening up considerably and taking a confrontational stance. They won the next two matches to take the series.
"The really disappointing aspect of last week was that South Africa did not have to play any rugby to win," said Gatland. "Everyone here goes on about how northern hemisphere rugby is a boring 10-man game, but in Durban their centres only received one pass and they only took play through four phases once.
"I was surprised how little rugby they played and we have to make sure tomorrow that we are in the game 30 minutes in because we cannot afford to give them a double-figure lead again. The way we finished in Durban, scoring 14 unanswered points in the last quarter when we had 80% of the possession, showed how fit we are and I am not concerned about playing at altitude. It will not make any difference."
Gatland said the Lions hoped to have better breaks from the match officials this week in a game that will be controlled by France's Christophe Berdos. "We are not looking for favouritism, but a few 50-50 calls to go our way," he added. "Matthew Rees was penalised for throwing a punch last week when the replay shows clearly that he did not. We just want the opportunity to play and a fair crack from the officials."
Gatland said he expected the recall of the flanker Schalk Burger was an attempt by South Africa to disrupt the centre pairing of Jamie Roberts and Brian O'Driscoll which has been the Lions' most potent weapon this tour.
"He has not played for a while and may only last 50 minutes," said Gatland. "England used Joe Worsley against Jamie in the Six Nations, but he has come a long way since then and is improving every game. His partnership with Brian has flourished and Jamie now has greater confidence and is talking on the field more."
The South Africa centre, Jean de Villiers, said the Springboks had this week spent considerable time in training working out how to stop Roberts and O'Driscoll, who last week blew holes in reputedly the meanest defence in the world game.
"They are both good individuals, but it is as a combination that they pose the biggest threat," said De Villiers. "I played more against Jamie and he has a very good step. He is a strong runner and you have to catch him early but it is the way they create space for each other that makes them such a force.
"Brian is the more experienced of the two and he is the one who makes the calls and gives direction. They exposed us in defence last week, and while it was more rustiness than anything else, the back line need to function as a unit and it has been tough on me and Adi Jacobs [South Africa's outside-centre] in training after the disappointment in defence last weekend."
