Lions claim deserved third Test win

The British and Irish Lions ended their tour of South Africa with a 28-9 victory over the Springboks in the third Test.

They might have already lost the series before another seismic encounter unfolded at Ellis Park, but the Lions delivered a devastating, record-equalling display.

Shane Williams' two tries and a second-half interception score by his fellow wing Ugo Monye - plus 13 points from fly-half Stephen Jones - sent South Africa crashing to a rare defeat on the ground where they won the 1995 World Cup. Morne Steyn kicked three penalties for the hosts.

The Lions ended a run of seven successive Test losses - they had not triumphed since beating 2001 hosts Australia in Brisbane - and also avoided a first series whitewash at South Africa's hands.

France were the last team to beat South Africa in Johannesburg, toppling them 32-23 eight years ago, but the Lions have now joined that exclusive club.

Despite showing seven changes following the series-losing defeat in Pretoria last weekend - and without injured talismen like Brian O'Driscoll and Jamie Roberts - they responded magnificently.

And the result saw them match the record 28-9 Lions success of Willie John McBride's all-conquering 1974 tourists in Pretoria.

The Lions had heroes everywhere, no-one more so than number eight Jamie Heaslip, who provided a towering presence in all areas, while centre Riki Flutey, flanker Martyn Williams and scrum-half Mike Phillips were not far behind.

It was a dream way to end probably the most satisfying Lions tour since they last visited South Africa in 1997.