My tour has reached Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape - a day ahead of the Lions - where the tourists will play their final warm-up game against the Southern Kings on Tuesday afternoon.

The build-up to next weekend's first Test has so far lacked any real intensity and I don't think the Lions' brief stop in this sleepy city will change things. The match with the Kings is supposedly the last opportunity for players to stake a claim for a Test berth but the match against the untried and untested scratch side is unlikely to offer a great deal more food for thought for head coach Ian McGeechan and co.

PE as it is commonly known has so far lived up to its nickname of the 'Friendly City' - before I had even touched down one local, Geoff O'Connell - who had a touch of Ron Burgundy about him - and his wife had offered to show me around the city and even take me out on their boat.

I am once again blessed with views of beautiful golden beaches from my hotel window but unlike Durban the coastline is not dominated by 1970s high-rises. The place itself reminds me of similar places in America - thanks largely to the family-friendly 'Boardwalk' in the centre of the city. Also of note is the fact that the Lions' last hit-out before the Test series begins will be the first event staged at the brand new Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium - the first new venue for next year's Fifa World Cup to be completed.

There is also no sign of the impending arrival of the Lions - I have not seen one poster or promotion since I arrived here which perhaps does not bode well for a healthy attendance. There is however, no possible doubt that football’s premier event is coming – despite the fact that is a year away.

My day began on the quiet streets of Cape Town where the only people traffic of note was found at the various churches we passed on the way to the airport. Just a few hours later I found myself within a different kind of congregation altogether at the Boardwalk Casino here in PE.

While some paid homage the banks of 'slots' by feeding them with endless money, many others were present to worship Bafana - South Africa's football team that kicked off the Confederations Cup with a dour clash against that other powerhouse Iraq.

Let's hope the Lions and Kings put on a more entertaining clash.

Fact of the Day: PE is a major car production centre and therefore a good place to buy a car by all accounts. However, one dealership I passed called 'Classic Cars' had a 1990 Ford Orion front and centre. Make of that what you will.