The British and Irish Lions won their first Test on a tour of South Africa for only the fifth time on Saturday when Maro Itoje delivered a man-of-the-match performance at Cape Town Stadium.
It was a leader’s contribution befitting a man who’s formed a habit playing beyond his years, and that same maturity shone through in Itoje’s comments ahead of a pivotal second Test.
The Lions have gone on to win the series on each of the previous four occasions they’ve won the first Test in South Africa, but their star lock isn’t allowing that to affect the approach this week.
Itoje, 26, warned fans will forget the opening result unless they can win the best-of-three series: “This will mean nothing unless we go out and win next week. This is a great win and I’m proud to be part of this match but we know that we need to do a job next week. That’s when it really counts.”
Another victory in Cape Town this coming Saturday would put the Lions in an unassailable lead, sealing the series with one game to spare.
Warren Gatland ’s side edged their way to a hard-fought 22-17 win on Saturday, where Luke Cowan-Dickie’s try and four Dan Biggar penalties made the difference for the tourists.
South Africa look likely to come back stronger considering they’d played together only once since the 2019 Rugby World Cup final, with an even tougher examination awaiting the Lions back in Cape Town.
Itoje—whose final turnover in the closing seconds helped the Lions clinch Saturday’s first Test—added that other tour squads have failed after being in their current position: “Winning a Test match with the Lions is rare. We only play once every four years and it’s unique. [But the 2001 Lions] won the first Test quite convincingly and then went on to lose the next two.
“We’re happy but we know that we need to be better next week, stronger. Game by game we’re getting better, we’re learning lessons so I think there is more to come from us, but the onus is on us to look at what we’ve done.”
Four Handre Pollard penalties in quick succession meant the Lions trailed 12-3 at the half-time interval on Saturday, but Gatland made the necessary tweaks to improve their fortunes.
It’s also a factor the reigning world champions wilted in the latter stages, however, having spent very little time training together since they beat England in Japan almost two years ago.
The Springboks also had two tries chalked off following interventions from the television match official, with Faf de Klerk dotting down for their only legal score early in the second period.
Itoje played in all three Tests when the Lions drew their series in New Zealand four years ago, putting him among the squad’s more experienced tourists despite what he lacks in age.
The Saracens star set the standard with his actions in an 80-minute masterclass on Saturday, but Itoje’s comments ahead of the second Test are proof as to why he’s considered a leader off the field, too.
