ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

The historic 1997 tour to South Africa featured some of the most memorable Lions tries ever seen

BY Stephen Brunsdon  ·  Thursday Apr 29, 2021

Warren Gatland will name his 36-man squad for the British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa this time next week, so what better excuse to get in the mood for the 2021 tour than by looking back on the last successful trip to the Rainbow Nation for the visitors.

ADVERTISEMENT

The official Lions channel is certainly getting in on the excitement as well in recent weeks, and has published a wondrous compilation of the best tries scored by the 1997 group, featuring some extraordinary efforts from Test starters and bolters alike.

This was the first professional Lions tour and coaches Jim Telfer and Ian McGeechan elected to use some players who had experienced professional Rugby League in the squad. This enabled Union converts Alain Tait, Scott Gibbs and John Bentley to make the touring party and their impact was felt largely, not just on the pitch, but off it as well.

Tait’s match-sealing try in the first test in Cape Town is one of many glorious scores featured, as is the Bentley absolute screamer against the Gauteng Lions at Ellis Park. How could it not be, right?

One of the best attributes of the Lions in 1997 was that the Test match squad and the weekday squad were so in tune with each other, and each group saw the team success as the most important part of winning the series.

The weekday squad put in the hard graft and often came out worse for wear as the local club sides tried their hardest to roughen up the tourists before the Test matches arrived. These matches were also some of the most expansive and open on tour and gave spectators the chance to witness some fantastic tries.

The Lions won the Test series 2-1, with Jeremy Guscott sealing a famous 18-15 triumph in the second Test in Durban with his last-gasp drop-goal.

ADVERTISEMENT

Related Articles

  • 30 WEEKS AGO

    Five of the best tries from the Investec...

  • 40 WEEKS AGO

    The dummy that sold the whole of Perth -...

  • 41 WEEKS AGO

    Bayonne score 'one of the best tries you'll...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: Outlandish Jacob Stockdale finish is truly world class

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Ulster denied THE GREATEST URC try you will ever see!

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Capuozzo break sets Dupont up for hatrick on return

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Fans praise 'Dom Perignon Rugby' as Irish players prepare for final match of South African tour

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Harlequins winger heralded as the next big England breakthrough after weekend's performance

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 8 HOURS AGO

    WATCH: The biggest hit from week one of the Autumn Nations Series

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    'Cheap shot' from Leicester Tigers vs Northampton Saints causing a stir online

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Wild moment leads to all in brawl during Welsh derby between Cardiff and Scarlets

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    South African school boy makes the greatest tackle ever

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Huge guillotine tackle divides fans in viral footage

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Insane moment as french backrow waves off medic and smokes Ange Capuozzo

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible drop goal helps break 25-match losing streak

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Leinster fly half delivers insane 50:22 after being given start for Emerging Ireland

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    French scrumhalf drills perfect shot at goal under outrageous circumstances

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Siya Kolisi makes young fans' day as he arrives at Cape Town school

View All

Funnies

  • 1 DAY AGO

    Mischievous Marcus Smith spotted engaging in the dark arts during All Blacks match

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Jonny Sexton: 'Fondest memory of the Heineken Cup in 2011?' - 'Gordon D'Arcy's bar' and 'Coppers'

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Watch: Mike Haley's post match interaction with RG Snyman leaves no doubt about where Munster players stand

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    The rugby guy and Mack Hansen drop an all time BANGER with latest video

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    ‘Pitch is made of concrete’ - Fan provides much needed update following half time incident

View All

Amateur

  • 95 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 95 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 118 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 118 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 119 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Louis Rees-Zammit opens up about his biggest shock in chasing NFL dream

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    'It's been an honour' - Wales legend retires from international rugby

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Jonny Sexton: 'Fondest memory of the Heineken Cup in 2011?' - 'Gordon D'Arcy's bar' and 'Coppers'

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    'It's been horrible' - Wales captain to miss Autumn Nations

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    'It was an easy decision for me' - Saints star commits to future

View All