Boks go V for victory; RESULT!

Byline: DEREK McGOVERN; JOHN SHAW 

THE PRIDE, the privilege, the prestige of pulling that Lions shirt over your head just can't be put into words.

It's available for pounds 50 from most good shops and likely to be modelled this summer by beer-bellied supporters all over Britain.

Watching the Lions' victorious tour of South Africa in 1997 was one of sport's momentous occasions. The motivational speeches, the drinking games, the coming together of man against man. It's all very similar to being an MP.

Patriotism tells us to punt on the Lions, history advises us not to.

In over a hundred years the British and lrish Lions have recorded three series wins. West Brom have a better away record than that. The 10-game tour starts today against Royal XV in Rustenburg. All the clever money has gone on the Springboks to whitewash the tourists 3-0. They have been backed down to 5/4 (from 15/8) and I suggest if you haven't already got on, get on now - that price won't last long.

Sky Bet are also offering odds on when the tourists will first taste defeat, with their first Test against South Africa the 13/8 favourite.

I once bet a South African pounds 5 on the proper pronunciation of the team name Wigan. He thought it was 'Vigan,' and I said 'Wigan'. We settled it by asking a guy in the street. "It's definitely Vigan," he said. "Thanks," said the South African. "You're velcome," says the man, walking up the street.