Lions thump Springboks to avoid series whitewash

By Ken Borland

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - The British and Irish Lions avoided a second successive series whitewash and restored their pride by thumping world champions South Africa 28-9 in the third and final test on Saturday.

South Africa, who won the first two tests, made 10 changes and two tries for recalled wing Shane Williams helped the Lions avoid a first series sweep of defeats by the Springboks four years after losing 3-0 to New Zealand.

The victory, which matched their highest score and widest winning margin against South Africa set in 1974, also ended the Lions' record run of seven successive defeats. Their last win came in the first test against Australia in 2001.

It was South Africa's first loss at Ellis Park since France beat them in 2001.

"It's a very proud moment. Today was very important," captain Paul O'Connell told Sky Sports.

"It's been a very tough week mentally for everyone and we really dug deep there and some guys produced some serious form and some great scores."

The tourists, also forced to make seven changes following a raft of injuries, looked far more organised from the start.

Phil Vickery, who was scrummaged off the field by Tendai Mtawarira in the first test, gained revenge when he popped the "Beast" out of the first scrum and earned the Lions a penalty which flyhalf Stephen Jones converted.