That old McGeechan magic worked wonders again at Ellis Park © Getty Images

OK - this was a second string South Africa side but it contained many of the form players from this year's Super 14 with a point to ahead of the Tri-Nations. This game was also being played at Ellis Park where only one side has claimed victory against the Boks in the last 12 years - a record they are rightly proud of. And the brawl that broke out in the closing stages of the game may well have been a sign of the home side's frustration at that record being tarnished.

What we saw today was the result of some McGeechan magic. The Lions veteran has once again shown his exemplary man-management skills to get this whole squad pulling together towards the same goal. They failed in their quest for a series victory but they dug deep and despite the many changes the hunger was still there. McGeechan indicated that this may well be his last Lions tour (including this year he has played on two tours and coached on five others) but don't be surprised if his name is amongst those linked with the 2013 tour to Australia.

But let us not forget that the Springboks already had the series in the bag thanks to their victories in the first two Tests. In those two games they showed just as much, and perhaps more character than the Lions showed today. Sport is a results business and the hosts produced the goods when it mattered most and should be heartily congratulated for that achievement.

South Africa chose to use today's game to protest at Bakkies Botha's two-week suspension for a dangerous charge in the second Test in Pretoria. They were incensed at what they see as the inconsistency of the judicial system that sees similar incidents go unpunished most weeks. They are right, and have received support on the matter from the Lions, but an occasion as today's match was not the place to air their grievances.

The match gave way to another contest of sorts involving the opposing fans. The aim was to make your way from one end of the pitch to the other to score an imaginary try. The problem was that fans were not allowed on the pitch and an army of stewards were there to stop them. But I'm glad to report that some did manage to escape the clutches of their would-be tacklers who at times looked as half-hearted as the Golden Lions did a few weeks ago. The score appeared to be in the Lions' favour until the stewards got their collective game-heads on but they had to rely on some reckless challenge that may have caught the citing commissioner's eye.

For the final game of the tour I had the honour of sitting next to the Daily Mail's Peter Jackson who was presiding over his last Test match before retirement. The Lions' impressive victory was a fitting tribute to his career that has spanned five decades - many of them at the frontline of the sport - and his contribution to the sport was acknowledged by head coach Ian McGeechan after the game. Enjoy retirement Peter - and thanks for keeping us both informed and entertained.