Lions v South Africa first Test highlights ('97)

25 years ago today, Matt Dawson sold a dummy to the Springbok defence and his life changed forever. Highlights from the epic first Test against South Africa.

[@oliprj8676]

Scott Gibbs. What a warrior!

[@leosillence8469]

THE LEVEL OF SHEER FIGHT in this squad still makes me smile and gives me goose bumps - so much pride and grit from 1 to 15, on the bench and through the staff -

[@grahammitchell5444]

The Dummy of The Century? Thank you Lions for these great vids.

[@mhcronje]

I was there. First test match my dad took me to. Remember it vividly to this day.

[@davidhaspell6417]

Subscribed to Sky Sports just for this series in 97, what memories!

[@RalphBrooker-gn9iv]

I’m 64. Missed a lot too sport being in the Army. Recently heard Jonno and Lawrence D saying that was the pinnacle of their career. I love the 5-6 Nations above all else. Because I’m English/British. Just started to search for 97 highlights. Superb stuff.

[@rjirving]

Brilliant. Remember it well. Beating the Boks on their home turf. Can't be anything sweeter!

[@karlosdeevs]

Oh but it can, cuz we'd go on to beat them again the following Saturday!

[@isitwasit8756]

Neil Jenkins kicking display was monumental and kept lions in the hunt

[@xpat73]

3:52 Scott Gibbs digging graves.

[@kenrehill8775]

Even the cameraman fell for that dummy, we all did in the pub as well.

[@PurpleWatchtower]

Back when rugby was rugby...

[@jeanettehinds4253]

I didn't realize Matt Dawson was so small. He's a little fella.

[@Mattt4314]

I played against Dawson at school when he played for RGS High Wycombe. They stuffed us and Matt Dawson dropped a goal towards the end. Just to rub it in. We were maybe 12. One of our team looked at our fly half and said “why aren’t you doing you that you useless sod?” … he looked perplexed and said “I didn’t know we could!” … Dawson was a class above us throughout the game

[@jeanettehinds4253]

@@Mattt4314 . Wow, did you always think he was destined for greatness, or was it a suprise?

[@Mattt4314]

No he was a cut above the rest of us

[@thabontimba5766]

That 50 22 from Honiball

[@chrisbaxter3597]

Virtually every physical contact from Saffers was illegal and cheap thuggish tactics were the norm from them - penalty count should have been way more - nasty pieces of work , a reflection I suppose

[@johnmc3862]

Will at all costs!!

[@chrisbaxter3597]

@@johnmc3862 will what ?

[@kenrehill8775]

I agree with you, if this was today, they’d be playing with two players on the pitch.

[@grahammitchell5444]

@@kenrehill8775 Lol!

[@geoffnelson6756]

Bakkies Botha decided to retire when they announced they would be putting a dozen hi def cameras around the pitch, no getting away with thuggery when there is looking the other way.

[@geoffnelson6756]

Wow, that was relentless attacking rugby, unlike todays stop start set piece orientated play, interesting that SA couldn't kick for toffee even back then, If it wasn't for Handre Pollard and his nerves of steel kicking, they wouldn't have scraped through in 1 point games at the WC

[@michaelbrown1659]

PATHETIC REFEREEING

[@JimmieCooper-le6vj]

Depends who you are supporting.