ONE thing both camps have fully endorsed following this year‘s fascinating rugby series between South Africa and the British and Irish Lions is that such tours must continue at any cost.

In fact, many believe that the tour by the Lions was far too short and a message has been sent out to the British officials that they must seriously consider lengthening such tours.

It must be remembered that such tours come around only once in 12 years.

In years gone by the Lions played far more matches, but since the introduction of professionalism to the game most tours throughout the world have been drastically shortened.

Longer tours will not only benefit South African rugby but also that of the Lions. Had they played a few more games on tour they would probably have been far more effective as a combination in the Test series.

The 28-9 win gained by the Lions on Saturday has certainly sent them and their huge contingent of supporters home in a good frame of mind, despite the 2-1 series defeat.

Meanwhile, Lions coach Ian McGeechan has decided to step down from coaching the Lions in future.

It was McGeechan‘s seventh tour with the Lions, and he said he was delighted to be travelling home with a Test victory in the closing chapter of his coaching career.

He was a playing member of the Lions team in 1974 and returned as coach in 1997.

“It‘s great going home with one victory under the belt. It will last for four years.”

Most players and officials agreed that this was one of the most physical battles yet between these two teams. There were certainly enough incidents and controversy stirred up during the series and South Africa did not come out of it with credit.

However, the two-week suspension of lock Bakkies Botha certainly left a sour taste in the Bok camp.

In the end, though, it was the Lions who paid the ultimate price.

They not only lost the series, but their lock Simon Shaw was suspended for two weeks for dangerous play following an incident in Saturday‘s match when he put a knee into scrumhalf Fourie du Preez‘s back.

Though Shaw was yellow-carded for the incident by Australian referee Stuart Dickinson just before halftime, he was still cited by Alan Hudson, of Canada.

This was the same Hudson who cited Botha for his rucking efforts in the second Test at Loftus Versfeld.

Shaw‘s unwarranted efforts proved a major blow for the Springboks as Du Preez failed to take his place at scrumhalf at the start of the second half.

He was replaced by the versatile Ruan Pienaar, who proved a more than adequate replacement.

A player who really tried hard was replacement fullback Frans Steyn.

He ran hard at the Lions defence and proved a threat to their defence. He could prove a key player in the Tri-Nations series for the Springboks.

But, of course, only from the fullback position.