Springboks lock Bakkies Botha looks for some divine intervention ahead of the Test showdown with the Lions © Getty Images

The much-hoped for escalation in hostilities has not materialised here in Durban and the verbal exchanges have been nothing but polite.

The British & Irish media have been hitting anyone they can get with the ‘Are the Springboks under-cooked?’ stick in the last few days without much joy – the nearest we got was a couple of luke-warm sound bites from South Africa assistant Gary Gold.

“It is interesting that this underdone tag is being thrown around about us when 12 months ago Wales came here and told us how tired they were after having a very long season back home,” he said. “I would much rather be in the position where we are now than if we had played three or four games and picked up three or four key injuries.”

Something in that last quote tells me he would have liked to seen his side tested before such a massive clash as this Saturday’s.

The presenting of the jerseys is long-held tradition and this series is no different. “Well-known South African businessman Dr Johann Rupert” did the honour for the Springboks this week. For those not in the know, billionaire Rupert is the owner of the Switzerland-based luxury goods company Richemont, which owns the Cartier, Mont Blanc and Dunhill names among others. He may be more familiar to you as the man behind a recently reported £10m investment in Premiership side SAracens.

“Rugby is a team sport and it is important that all 14 of you play as a team so that you can give ball to Bryan,” the reclusive Rupert told the players.

Lions head coach Ian McGeechan insisted there were no special jersey presentation plans for his side when questioned yesterday but that struck me as believable as some of the official crowd figures we have been fed out here. Do not be surprised if the great Willie John McBride makes an appearance as part of the ‘bonus extras’ on the tour DVD.

SA Rugby are also busy mobilising their fans to ensure they are not aesthetically blown away by a wash of red on Saturday. The Lions’ supporters memorably painted Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney red in 2001 and the Australian Rugby Union moved quickly to urge their fans to ‘go gold’ in response. On this occasion South African officials have gone for a pre-emptive strike.

“We want to turn the Absa Stadium Durban (Kings Park to traditionalists) into a sea of green,” declared acting SA Rugby Managing Director Andy Marinos. “Wear jerseys, scarves, caps, t-shirts and wave flags – so long as it’s green and show your support for the Boks.”

They may succeed in claiming some colour gains on Saturday but Durban the city has already turned red thanks to the thousands of fans descending on sun-drenched resort.

Fact of the day: “Whoever wins the first Test only needs to win 50% of the next two games, but whoever loses it needs to win 100% of the next two games.” – Gary Gold, South Africa assistant coach