Bok coaches Gary Gold and Dick Muir said the victory over the Golden Lions was more of what they had expected from the tourists.
Gold and Muir impressed with Lions combinations
South Africa assistant coaches Gary Gold and Dick Muir said the British & Irish Lions' performance against the Golden Lions on Wednesday was more of what they had expected from the visitors.
Gold, forward coach for the Boks, and backs coach Muir identified the centre combination as the stand-out feature in the Lions 74-10 victory.
"They put some combinations out there," said Muir.
"Their game has picked up quite a bit and they have reasonable time to prepare (for the Tests) and a lot of games. So we will be able to take a lot from that."
Muir had high praise for centres Brian O'Driscoll and Jamie Roberts.
"For starters, I thought their centre combination looked good... it is no doubt more motivation for us the way their centres played. I am not surprised at how much they played because you play as well as the opposition allow," said Muir.
"But they played with good width and put in a lot of work off the ball.
Camaraderie
"This is a fantastic Lions squad and you can see the synergy and camaraderie developing."
Muir added that he backed the Springbok midfield to come out on top against the improving Lions.
"Our midfield combinations have been tried and tested against the best and they have a lot of pride in their defence. So it does not pose worries," he said.
Gold felt the Lions will adopt a less risky game-plan in the Tests.
"I don't think they'll move the ball that much. I also think they will make subtle changes to their game when the Test teams run out," said Gold.
He did however admit that the result against the Golden Lions surprised him.
"But I think the Free State, Sharks and Western Province are not under prepared in terms of tough games," said Gold.
"The British Lions performance, however, heeded a warning to the other provinces that they are not the tired Lions."
