Southern Hemisphere supremacy will be under attack today as world champions South Africa meet the British Lions and Australia take on France. To add a further twist to a day of top-shelf action, New Zealand host Argentina.

After a month of provincial games, of comparisons, predictions and endless speculation, the quality of the 1997 British Lions will finally be exposed as they take on the Springboks in a boiling atmosphere in the first Test at Newlands.

In Sydney, Australia, with Tim Horan playing the unfamiliar role of fly-half, will try to match French flair.