The worst of times, the best of times. The rugby highlight of the year, the world champions South Africa against the British & Irish Lions, was stripped of atmosphere by the pandemic and was devoid of ambition on the field until Finn Russell found his way off the bench early in the third Test. South Africa did what South Africa did to win a third World Cup two years ago — they played a specific Springbok-style of rugby, based upon ferocious forward power and a kicking game encouraged by the effects of altitude on the flight of the ball. Having not played since the World Cup final against England in 2019, they kept it simple and won the series. The Lions, who tried to play

Source: The Times December 26, 2021 11:56 UTC