The former Springboks coach Nick Mallett has predicted a series defeat for Ian McGeechan's British and Irish Lions when their tour of South Africa starts at the end of this month. He talks to Peter Bills in the Independent on Sunday.
""I just think they'll find it tough, really, really tough," said Mallett, who is now in charge of Italy. "The ball-handling and running ability of the South African tight forwards is almost unmatched. Guys like the Sharks prop 'The Beast' Tendai Mtawarira, Bakkies Botha, Victor Matfield, John Smit, Bismarck du Plessis and Pierre Spies, these guys are quick and can really pass a ball.
"They're not going to ground with the ball. If they do, they're offloading as they fall to create momentum. They love offloading in the tackle. If South Africa play in the style of the Bulls and the Sharks, which I think they will do, then the Lions are going to have to match athleticism with athleticism and that won't be easy. A guy like [the lock] Simon Shaw is very strong in tight, close play. He's a big, solid forward, very effective at close range. But I am not sure he can pop up at outside centre and throw spin passes. Will he do that?"
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