'Boks boss expected BOD

De Villiers: Looking forward to facing the Lions

It is a good squad, which is what we expected, based on the players who were on form in the Six Nations and understanding the type of players that Ian McGeechan was looking for

Peter de Villiers
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South Africa coach Peter de Villiers was surprised by the appointment of Paul O'Connell as captain of the British and Irish Lions.

The Springboks boss was expecting Brian O'Driscoll to skipper the Lions for the three-Test series against the reigning world champions.

The decision over who will lead the team was one of the only surprises for De Villiers, though, as he described the rest of the squad as "what we expected".

Opposite number Ian McGeechan has picked a combined total of 27 players from Ireland and Wales, including Munster pair Keith Earls and Alan Quinlan.

Huge accolade

"I am surprised that Paul O'Connell got the captaincy ahead of Brian O' Driscoll, who was the most successful captain in the Six Nations in 2009 and captained the Lions to New Zealand four years ago," said De Villiers.

"Having said that, O'Connell is the captain of Munster and has also captained Ireland at Test level and we will not underestimate his leadership capabilities.

"This is a huge accolade for Paul O'Connell and it will come with great responsibility."

On the squad as a whole, he added: "Any selection will have its fair share of surprises but we believe that Ian McGeechan and his team have placed their confidence in what they believe to be the best 37 players in the four home unions.

"For us, however, it is more important that we now know exactly who our opposition will be as opposed to which players made it and which did not.

"It is a good squad, which is what we expected, based on the players who were on form in the Six Nations and understanding the type of players that Ian McGeechan was looking for.

"It is also evident that the squad has been picked on form, fitness, combinations and experience. It looks like a well-balanced and experienced group and it will be interesting to see how their Test side takes shape."

Turning his attention to the series itself, the Springbok boss is keen to reverse what happened 12 years ago when the Lions won 2-1 on their last tour to the country.

Preparations

De Villiers will now step up his preparations as he bids to make sure South Africa don't suffer a series defeat to the Lions, just as they did back in 1997.

"A Lions tour is always a momentous occasion and 2009 will be no different," he said.

"Our guys know the magnitude of the task that lies ahead and they know the expectation that there is, especially in view of the disappointments of 1997.

"Now that we know the make-up of the Lions squad we will be able to advance our preparations in terms of our analysis of their strengths and weaknesses, how we expect them to play and how we must prepare for the three Tests.

"I am looking forward to the Test series."