The British and Irish Lions head to South Africa as firm underdogs in their bid to win a first series in 12 years against the world champions.
The 36-strong Lions squad, coached by Scottish stalwart Ian McGeechan and captained by Ireland lock Paul O'Connell, can at least look back at history with a wry smile - they beat the Springboks 2-1 in the 1997 series when the hosts were also defending world champions.
"We know how challenging a tour to the home of the reigning world champions is going to be," Lions tour manager Gerald Davies acknowledged.
"I recognise the pride they have in the national team, the Springboks," the former Wales winger said, noting the hosts' "tough mentality, their physical approach to rugby and their tough-as-teak physical presence... their subtle talents and the speed and determination with which they pursue a chase".
"They love rugby with a fervour and a passion in South Africa - but then, so do we."
Springboks captain John Smit, who led South Africa to 2007 World Cup glory in France, has carried on for a further two years after that triumph just so he could take on the Lions.
"A Lions tour comes around only every 12 years for us, so for those players who are privileged enough to be around when it happens, it is an opportunity not to be missed," said the 31-year-old hooker.
"There is a real buzz in the country and one can sense something special is upon us."
Ireland contribute a record 13 players to the Lions squad, eight of whom come from 2008 European champions Munster.
Wales weigh in with 12, England have eight, while Scotland, in a reflection of their recent form, have just three representatives in prop Euan Murray, Australia-born lock Nathan Hines and national captain Mike Blair - a late call-up for the injured Munster scrum-half Tomas O'Leary.
The squad boasts a number of hard-hitting, no-compromise forwards that seems to display McGeechan's emphasis on having a powerful pack to match that of the physically imposing Springboks.
The set of backs chosen errs on the side of safety rather than flair, and the late pull-out of Welsh centre Tom Shanklin through injury will be a blow.
Lions fans will be hoping O'Connell can provide the kind of leadership delivered by Martin Johnson, who had yet to become England captain when he led McGeechan's successful squad in 1997, and by the legendary Willie John McBride, another Irish lock who led the 1974 tourists to the Lions' first series win in South Africa when McGeechan was a centre.
McBride was in no doubt that the scrum and the battle up front will be the key to any success on the tour which features 10 games including three Test matches.
"We've got to get our scrum right, we've got to get in their face and we've got to take the game to them," said McBride.
"I know the game's changed, I know the game's professional and I know that scrummaging has changed but, whether we like it or not, I still believe that the team that can scrummage is the team that wins the match."
Bok skipper Smit added: "Overall, it is a very strong team and one that will certainly provide a big challenge for us on our home ground, which we are really looking forward to.
"There is depth in every position, which is what they will need on a long and tough tour."
McGeechan, who masterminded Lions series wins over Australia in 1989 and then world champions South Africa in 1997, has opted to stay with a tighter squad than that which went down 3-0 against New Zealand four years ago.
Clive Woodward used 51 players against the Kiwis, having arrived there with a pre-conceived idea of the Test team and two sets of coaching staff - a situation that failed to engender any unity among the squad.
"We'll have one set of coaches for midweek and Saturday sides," McGeechan said this time around. "We need to give everyone a chance to challenge for a Test spot.
"We've got three World Cup finals to play against the world champions and that unity, that ability to draw together, is critical."
Veteran Wales flanker Martyn Williams, in the form of his life over the last two seasons after going back on retirement plans, said that returning from South Africa with a series victory would be a far from simple task.
"Lions tours are difficult. There is a very short space of time to prepare and try to gel. It is the ultimate challenge," Williams told the Guardian.
"Everyone is writing us off and saying South Africa are red-hot favourites. They are world champions and they've got a pretty phenomenal squad.
"We are going in there as huge underdogs, but looking at the talent in the squad, there is no doubt we are capable of producing something special."
Copyright 2009 AFP Global Edition
