The Lions' unbeaten start to the season came to an abrupt end this afternoon as they fell 24 - 6 to Leinster at the Aviva Stadium.
When you consider the competition for back row spots in the Springboks set-up, you would imagine it must be pretty daunting for an uncapped player with international ambitions.
Edinburgh suffered a heavy and frankly humiliating 55-21 defeat against the Lions in Johannesburg in the United Rugby Championship.
As a new United Rugby Championship (URC) season approaches, we take a closer look at the physical makeup of the 16 sides competing for silverware.
A viral video over the weekend has shed light on the cramped conditions that some Lions rugby players have had to endure when travelling back from their Challenge Cup defeat this weekend.
Argentina winger Emiliano Boffelli will make his first appearance of the season for Edinburgh when they host Lions on Friday night.
Dragons have confirmed a mass exodus of players from the club which now amounts to a total of 20 athletes since the season began.
Cardiff paid for a slow start as they suffered a 37-20 United Rugby Championship defeat to the Lions in Johannesburg.
The British and Irish Lions kick off their tour to South Africa with a match against namesakes the Sigma Lions in Johannesburg on Saturday.