Peter de Villiers, the Springbok coach made some crucial errors in his substitutions against the Lions in Durban according to Peter Bills in The Independent.
"A series of extraordinary tactical changes by Springbok coach Peter de Villiers came crazily close to costing South Africa this First Test.
De Villiers took off too many key men too early and the Springboks very nearly paid the ultimate price. The Lions launched so roaring a recovery that 26-7 turned into 26-21 and it was the world champions who were left hanging on. For the fact is until then, South Africa's massive physicality had carried all before it. And one moment at Kings Park summed up the difference between these two teams.
The wonderfully brave, committed Lions flanker David Wallace took the ball into contact, taking care to dip his head and body when he spied the South African reception committee awaiting him. Wallace was engulfed by the second-row Bakkies Botha and a couple of his mates. The foray ended with Wallace being picked up and slung over big Bakkies' shoulder like some rabbit in the poacher's bag."