Bowe in the best form of his life; Chasing place in First Test.

Western Province 23 British and Irish Lions 26

TOMMY Bowe admits his career has "really rocketed" as the British and Irish Lions prepare to launch him at world champions South Africa, writes ANDREW BALDOCK.

Less than two years after failing to make Ireland's World Cup squad, Bowe is in the form of his life.

He is a cast-iron certainty for the Lions' first Test team against the Springboks next Saturday, having scored four tries in three games and also proved a devastating midfield game-breaker.

Bowe's ability to rove off his wing and enhance the Lions' attacking armoury could not have been better illustrated by his starring role on a blustery afternoon beneath Table Mountain.

The 25-year-old claimed one touchdown and memorably broke three tackles to set up another for his probable Test strikepartner Ugo Monye.

While substitute James Hook's nerveless late long-range penalty clinched Saturday's 26-23 verdict for the Lions against Western Province, his fellow Osprey Bowe - more than anyone else - had set up the possibility of a fifth successive tour win. "I am playing with confidence at the moment," he said. "When I get the ball I am feeling happy to take defenders on and play my own game.

"I am enjoying my rugby. I've had a good season, I've got myself into a bit of form and I am enjoying myself playing in Wales. Things have really rocketed in the last year. To be in a position where I am hopefully in contention for the first Test is something I have always dreamed of.

"I can't take anything for granted. The (Test) team is going to be picked on Tuesday, and fingers crossed I've done enough to get myself in there." If the Lions are to stun South Africa in Durban next weekend, they must win individual battles all over the pitch. And there is hardly a more mouthwatering contest ahead than the one between Ireland Grand Slam winner Bowe and Springboks try machine Bryan Habana.

They have faced each other before - in an under-21 tournament in England - but nothing to remotely match Saturday's high-octane showdown.

"For me to be here seems very special," added Bowe.

"It's the pinnacle of any rugby player's career, so if you didn't enjoy it there would be something wrong. I am playing with a smile on my face.

"We've been playing with a lot of different combinations, and it is a case of getting everything correct for Saturday.

Coming over here we were going to be underdogs, and that's the way we want to be. I think if people write us off, they will get a shock." Lions head coach Ian McGeechan will draw up the Test team following tomorrow's clash against a newly-formed

Southern Kings side in Port Elizabeth.

McGeechan's main selection debates appear to concern the front five, notably props and lock, where Nathan Hines and Alun-Wyn Jones are battling to be chosen as captain Paul O'Connell's second-row partner.

Everything seems straightforward behind the scrum, although Hook could still put pressure on fly-half favourite Stephen Jones after continuing to impress.

"I see him (Hook) kicking kicks for the Ospreys all the time," said Bowe. "But to come off the bench and have the nerve to slot one from so far out, having dropped short with one a couple of minutes before just shows the character of the man." Number eight Andy Powell also deserved considerable plaudits after dominating the back-row contest at Newlands - despite going into the game with a fractured bone in his heavilybandaged hand.

"I have got a little bit of a fracture there," said Powell. "It's a bit painful, but these things happen in professional sport. You just want to get into that red jersey and forget about it at the end of the day." The Lions scored three tries - Bowe, Monye and flanker Martyn Williams touched down - before Western Province fought back from 18-9 adrift to set up a thrilling finish. Full-back Joe Pietersen's try hauled them level at 23-23 - he had earlier dropped a goal, while fly-half Willem de Waal kicked 15 points - before Hook put the boot in.

"We always knew Western Province would probably be the strongest team we'd faced so far," said McGeechan.

"Maybe we tried to play a bit too much rugby at times. It was blustery with a wet ball, which meant there was always going to be a high error count.

"You can't underestimate the conditions, or the opposition, who were really intent on making it difficult.

"We could have had a bit more patience with our kicking game, but the attitude of the players and focus on the field when it is coming down to the wire shows how much winning means to us.

"But we know next weekend is going to be a different level again. There are going to be some tough selection calls.

"We've got to where we are now, and we have got one game left before the first Test match."

ALL LIONS MAY BE FIT AND READY TO PLAY

THE British and Irish Lions could have a clean bill of health heading into next Saturday's first Test against world champions South Africa.

Only full-back Rob Kearney is currently unavailable for the Lions' next game - with the Southern Kings in Port Elizabeth tomorrow. Kearney suffered a dead leg during the 26-23 victory over Western Province, but he is expected to regain full fitness in the next few days.

Scotland scrum-half Mike Blair, meanwhile, faces a late test on his ankle to determine whether or not he will be ready for Port Elizabeth. But Lions doctor Gary O'Driscoll has delivered an upbeat overall assessment as the tourists hurtle headlong towards the business end of their 10-match trip.

"Rob Kearney took a knee straight into his left thigh that has given him a dead leg. It was the sensible thing to take him off," said O'Driscoll.

"Mike Blair has a very mild sprain.

The coaching staff have given us until Tuesday morning to do a final fitness test, so there is every chance he will be available for then." Number eight Andy Powell will continue to play after suffering what O'Driscoll termed "a tiny little crush fracture" in his hand..

CAPTION(S):

BOWE TRY Lions winger Tommy Bowe crosses to score the first try. Left, James Hook's winning penalty.