It’s the first time in 12 years that the Springboks get to tackle the Lions and the next tour will only be in 2033.

The only players in the current squad that beat the Lions 2-1 in 2009 are Frans Steyn from the Toyota Cheetahs and Morné Steyn from the Bulls.

Kolisi said the series is a once in a life time opportunity.

“We know most of us will never get another chance to play the Lions so we need to make the most of it now.

“It is very rare for players to play the Lions twice like Frans Steyn and Morné Steyn are doing. “Even the guys who are not playing are really pulling together in an effort to support us and they want this series win as much as we do.

“We will do anything to win this series.”

Tomorrow’s 1st Test at the Cape Town Stadium kicks off at 18:00.

Springboks - 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Kwagga Smith, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche.

Replacements - 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Frans Malherbe, 19 Lood de Jager, 20 Rynhardt Elstadt, 21 Herschel Jantjies, 22 Elton Jantjies, 23 Damian Willemse.

British & Irish Lions - 15 Stuart Hogg (Scotland), 14 Anthony Watson (England), 13 Elliot Daly (England), 12 Robbie Henshaw (Ireland), 11 Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland), 10 Dan Biggar (Wales), 9 Ali Price (Scotland), 8 Jack Conan (Ireland), 7 Tom Curry (England), 6 Courtney Lawes, 5 Alun Wyn Jones (captain, Wales), 4 Maro Itoje (England), 3 Tadhg Furlong (Ireland), 2 Luke Cowan-Dickie (England), 1 Wyn Jones (Wales).

Replacements - 16 Ken Owens (Wales), 17 Rory Sutherland (Scotland), 18 Kyle Sinckler (England), 19 Tadhg Beirne (Ireland), 20 Hamish Watson (Scotland), 21 Conor Murray (Ireland), 22 Owen Farrell (England), 23 Liam Williams (Wales).

@MorganPiek OFM Sport