"No matter how difficult the situation is, we are always able to pull together. We've got families, we've got friends, we've got people out there suffering during this time. We want to make sure that, while we still have the privilege to be able to do what we love, we give it our ultimate best.

"We know the people will be behind us, no matter what it is they are going through. We want to make sure we give it everything and give it our best on Saturday." - Siya Kolisi

"We are going to do everything we can to focus on the job we have to do. Like coach Rassie Erasmus said at the World Cup, what we do is in a place of privilege.

"We're doing what we love every single day, and that we're able to put a smile on someone's face, or we're able to, for a moment in time, let everybody else forget and put their problems aside and focus on what we're doing. When we win, they feel like they win too." - Siya Kolisi

South Africa can win consecutive series against the Lions for the first time since they were successful in both 1962 and 1968, having come out on top by a 2-1 scoreline in 2009.

Yet the Lions have been racking up the points in their tour matches ahead of the three Tests, scoring 39 tries in six games in 2021 - which is 21 more than they managed in the entire 2017 trip to New Zealand.

Warren Gatland's men were beaten 17-13 by a strong South Africa A team during the warm-up fixtures, though, getting a taste of the sort of power they know they will come up against when facing the Boks.

HERE WE GO!!!! 12 years in the waiting!!

South Africa and the British and Irish Lions do battle in the Test series opener today. After months of uncertainty over whether the tour will go ahead, the British and Irish Lions start their quest to secure a series win over South Africa today.

For today's game, Jacques Nienaber has selected 21 Rugby World Cup winners from Japan two years ago with Ox Nche and Rynhardt Elstadt the only expectations.

As for the Lions, Alun Wyn Jones has made an astonishing recovery to captain the tourists only four weeks after suffering a dislocated shoulder against Japan.

Stay with us for live updates and commentary.

Any late squad changes UR

Boks need to be in front early on as dont think they fit enough to chase the game

Late Change for the Lions. Wyn Jones misses out after a shoulder injury. Rory Sutherland starts with Mako Vunipola moving onto the bench

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