South Africa v Lions betting tips: All to play for in series finale

Gatland has made six changes to the starting XV and has dramatically altered the complexion of the bench.

Up front, loose-head Jones will make his Lions Test debut after recovering from injury, while Owens has been preferred to Luke Cowan-Dickie, who drops to the bench.

Despite tight-head prop Kyle Sinckler’s disciplinary hearing for alleged biting taking place on Tuesday evening, he is also named on the bench

The back five of the scrum remains unchanged, but the backline has been reconfigured, with Aki making his first appearance in a Lions Test series, and the Welsh pair of Adams and Williams coming into the back three after the Lions were dismantled by the South Africa kicking game last weekend.

They replace Hogg and Watson, and will provide essential aerial expertise against the Springboks.

In a surprise move, Duhan Van Der Merwe (above) keeps his place, while Dan Biggar continues at fly-half, re-joined at half-back by Price in a repeat of the partnership that started the first Test. Conor Murray drops to the bench.

The changes reflect the Lions’ disappointing performance in the second Test in which they failed to score a point in the second half.

The Lions have started well in the two Tests and against a strong South Africa ‘A’ side in a warm-up game, and are 10/11 to win the first half in receipt of one point on the handicap.

The South Africa v Lions betting tips sees the momentum with South Africa after they emerged conclusive 27-9 winners from a fractious clash last Saturday, levelling the series at 1-1.

South Africa are 8/13 to win the match, with the tie available at 18/1.

The Springboks are 10/11 to win and successfully concede 3.5 points to the Lions.

Gatland said: “The matchday 23 have an incredibly special opportunity in front of them – to seal a Lions series victory in South Africa.

“It doesn’t get much bigger than this and we’re excited by the challenge that faces us on Saturday.

“We’ve no excuses from last week, the Springboks put us under pressure in the second half and deserved the win. We have to be much better than that second-half performance, and I believe we will be.”

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All odds and markets correct as of date of publication