Lions avoid series whitewash

The British and Irish Lions avoided a second successive series whitewash by producing a spirited display of attacking rugby to beat South Africa 28-9 in the third and final test at Ellis Park yesterday.

South Africa, who won the first two tests, made 10 changes for the third and paid the price as the Lions avoided a first series clean sweep of defeats against the Springboks having lost 3-0 to New Zealand four years ago.

The victory, which matched their highest score and widest winning margin against South Africa set in 1974, also ended the Lions' record run of seven successive defeats.

"It's a very proud moment. Today was very important," captain Paul O'Connell told Sky Sports.

"It's been a very tough week mentally for everyone and we really dug deep there and some guys produced some serious form and some great scores."