The British and Irish Lions begin their 2021 tour of South Africa on Saturday when they face the Sigma Lions at the Emirates Airline Park in Johannesburg.
Warren Gatland's side opened up their summer campaign with victory over Japan in a rare home outing last weekend, and now get the South African leg of the tour underway after months of uncertainty.
Match preview
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Even as the British and Irish Lions were getting their tour underway at Murrayfield last Saturday, the future of the rest of their schedule remained up in the air.
Rising coronavirus cases in South Africa, coupled with a mini-outbreak amongst the South African squad, left the long-awaited tour in doubt, but it has now been confirmed that it will indeed go ahead.
There will be no shortage of relief when the Lions finally get their overseas stint underway on Saturday, then, taking on their South African namesakes in the second of six warm-up matches before their first Test on July 24.
Gatland's men got off to a winning start against World Cup quarter-finalists Japan in their opener, crossing four times in a 28-10 victory.
The Lions raced into a 21-0 lead at the break and, while they were forced to withstand more Japanese pressure in the second half, when the Brave Blossoms enjoyed more possession and territory, the hosts comfortably kept the visitors at arm's length.
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It was by no means a perfect afternoon for the group, though, with captain Alun Wyn Jones seeing his tour ended through injury inside seven minutes and Justin Tipuric joining him in suffering a tour-ending injury.
Such setbacks are part and parcel of a Lions tour, but Gatland will be desperate to avoid any more during the early stages of what is sure to be a physically demanding schedule.
Having already seen off Japan, Gatland's side will be favourites to make it two wins from two against a Sigma Lions team that has only won two of their last eight outings.
A 38-22 triumph over Western Province on June 23 was their first win in more than a month, having lost five of their six outings in the recent Rainbow Cup.
Team News
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The Lions have been rocked by the news that Alun Wyn Jones will miss the remainder of the tour after the injury he picked up against Japan, being replaced by compatriot Adam Beard.
Conor Murray has taken over the captaincy, but Scottish full-back Stuart Hogg will lead the team out at Ellis Park on Saturday.
It will be the Exeter Chiefs playmaker's first outing of the tour after he only joined up with the squad after the win over Japan due to his involvement in the Premiership final.
Hogg is one of 14 changes to the side that beat Japan, with Wales winger Josh Adams the only player to retain his place in the starting XV.
Finn Russell has overcome an ankle injury to be named as the starting 10 alongside compatriot Ali Price at scrum-half, while England's Owen Farrell - another contender for the Test fly-half spot - will start at 12.
Chris Harris is also included in a Scottish-heavy backline at outside centre, while jet-heeled Wales winger Louis Rees-Zammit starts too.
England dominate the pack with five starters, including late call-up Kyle Sinckler, while Hamish Watson will start at openside after being ruled out of the Japan game due to concussion.
Zander Fagerson was also initially named in the starting XV last weekend only to be forced to withdraw, but the Scottish prop is back on the bench for this match.
Josh Navidi has replaced the injured Tipuric in the travelling party, but will not play any part in this match.
For the South African Lions, Junior Springboks youngster Jordan Hendrikse will be back at fly-half, while Burger Odendaal will return to the side at centre.
Prop Sti Sithole will be back on the bench for the Johannesburg-based club, alongside former Gloucester man Jaco Visagie.
British and Irish Lions confirmed starting lineup:
Hogg; Rees-Zammit, Harris, Farrell, Adams; Russell, Price; W Jones, George, Sinckler, Itoje, Hill, Lawes, H Watson, Faletau
Sigma Lions confirmed starting lineup:
Viljoen; Ulengo, Rass, Odendaal, Maxwane; Hendrikse, Smit; McBeth, Botha, Dreyer, Schoeman, Nothnagel, Sangweni, Tshituka, Horn
We say: British and Irish Lions to win
The early stages of Lions tours are all about finding their feet, trying to find some rhythm and trying to play their way into the Test team.
Victory against Japan last weekend was a good start, but there were still issues to iron out and the South African Lions will look to capitalise on those this weekend.
Nonetheless, the tourists should have enough to see off this threat and get the overseas part of their tour off to a winning start fairly comfortably.
Barney Corkhill
