With the first clash with the Springboks less than a week away it will soon be the time for Lions head coach Ian McGeechan to name his side to tackle the world champions.

There is one more warm-up game against the unknown and untried Southern Kings on Tuesday and although McGeechan says he will not decide on his Test XV until that evening he must surely have the majority of those names inked onto the team sheet already.

I think the majority of the side decides itself with many players stepping up to the challenge and laying claim to a Test jersey with notable performances. A couple of positions remain debateable but either way this side has the potential to rock the Boks.

15. Lee Byrne
Outstanding all-round qualities see the Wales fullback edge out his Irish counterpart Rob Kearney for the No.15 shirt. Dangerous when joining the line and a cannon for a boot.

14. Tommy Bowe
The Irishman has kicked on from the Six Nations and can rightly claim to be one of the most dangerous wingers in the game.

13. Brian O’Driscoll
The Lions veteran has oozed class and has a point to prove. Some superb touches and quick feet make him a very real threat for the tourists in attack and he also regiments the defensive effort.

12. Jamie Roberts
The strong-running Welshman has broken the gain line at will on tour and appears to have struck a winning partnership with the more experienced O’Driscoll.

11. Ugo Monye
Electric at times, the English speedster also looks hungry for the ball and confident with it in hand.

10. Stephen Jones
A close call between the Wales fly-half and his Irish rival Ronan O’Gara. Both have been almost faultless with the boot with Jones getting my nod for his

9. Mike Phillips
Sure to relish the physical confrontation against the Springboks and the personal challenge with the world’s best No.9 Fourie du Preez. His strong passing game is key to unlocking the Lions talented back line.

8. Jamie Heaslip
The Irishman is another to have lifted their game to the next level during this tour after an excellent season for province and country. He has been ferocious at the breakdown and ball-hungry in the loose.

7. Martyn Williams
The Wales openside has returned to top form at the right time after some injury concerns early in the tour. An eye-catching display against Western Province put his strengths at the breakdown and in the loose in the Test match window and is set to edge out the reliable but maybe a little less dynamic David Wallace.

6. Tom Croft
Croft’s ascent from tour reject to Test starter is set to be confirmed this week. As thought his athleticism has been a valuable weapon in the Lions back row and in the lineout.

5. Paul O’Connell
The Munster talisman has done all he has been asked – earning hard yards when taking the ball up and catching plenty of lineout ball. Some have questioned his leadership ability but this side as a whole will not lack for that.

4. Alun Wyn Jones
Perhaps the most open of the spots in the Test XV. Wyn-Jones may not have the physical presence of rivals Nathan Hines or Simon Shaw but his athleticism will be required to disrupt the Springboks’ formidable lineout duo.

3. Euan Murray
The Scot’s scrummaging prowess sees him edge out the experience head of Phil Vickery for the starting No.3 berth.

2. Lee Mears
What the English hooker may lack for in physical frame he makes up for in work rate and the Lions will need a reliable thrower at the lineout.

1. Andrew Sheridan
The English powerhouse is another powerful scrummager that will relish taking on the Springboks’ front row and would probably give way to the industrious Gethin Jenkins in the second half.

When it comes to replacements, the Lions management have regularly opted for the 4-3 split which I think they will do again.

Replacements:
16. Matthew Rees
17. Gethin Jenkins
18. Simon Shaw
19. Joe Worsley
20. Harry Ellis
21. Ronan O’Gara
22. Luke Fitzgerald

Rees and Jenkins are easy choices while Shaw and Worsley get my nod to add some beef to the pack when required. Ellis has outshone Mike Blair while Ronan O’Gara is pressed hard for his place by the versatile James Hook. That flexibility sees Fitzgerald named in my side as the replacement back.