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Page last updated at 15:49 GMT, Saturday, 20 June 2009 16:49 UK

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South Africa v Lions photos

Hordes of red-shirted Lions fans soak up the atmosphere and take the time to enjoy the Durban sunshine with kick-off in the opening Test of the tour fast approaching

Excitement is building outside Kings Park stadium with temperatures reaching the mid-20s and the eagerly awaited clash between South Africa and the British and Irish Lions only moments away

Lions head coach Ian McGeechan surveys his surroundings within the stadium as months of meticulous preparation build to a climax in the heat of the South African sun

South Africa make the best possible start as captain John Smit bursts through the Lions defence to score the opening try of the match in just the fifth minute

Ugo Monye attempts to scores the first try for the Lions but is superbly denied as John de Villiers slides in and manages to prevent the wing grounding the ball

Tom Croft who scores the first try for the men in red

The Lions claw their way back into the bruising encounter as a piece of Brian O'Driscoll magic releases Tom Croft who scores the first try for the men in red in the 23rd minute

The assured boot of Ruan Pienaar edges the hosts further ahead as the Lions continue to struggle in the pack and are punished with a succession of penalties

Half-time arrives and Lions skipper Paul O'Connell will have a tough job to raise his men as South Africa have a firm grip on the match with a 19-7 lead

The Lions fall further behind following the break and have to draw on all their strength after Heinrich Brussow rumbles over the line after superb work from his pack

Mike Phillips stetches every sinew as he attempts to place the ball over the line but it is dislodged by Bakkies Botha as South Africa's solid defence continues to deny the Lions another try

The Lions respond as Croft scores his and his team's second try of the match with O'Driscoll influential yet again - Stephen Jones slots the extras with South Africa's lead now 26-14 in Durban

Mike Phillipsv scores a try for the Lions

South Africa show signs of fatigue and the Lions take full advantage as Mike Phillips nips over to set up a thrilling finale to the Test with the Lions trailing 26-21 after Jones slots the conversion

Jamie Roberts and his Lions team-mates show their disappointment at the end of the match

The final whistle ends the challenge of the Lions as they fall to a 26-21 defeat but the superb display of Jamie Roberts will give them hope ahead of the second Test in Pretoria

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South Africa v Lions photos

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