Here we go. The replacement Lions line up either side of the tunnel ready to create some atmosphere for the starters.

Or maybe not, they offer light applause and head taps as Alun Wyn Jones leads the side out.

Matt Dawson
Former Lions scrum-half

Ali Price, Duhan van der Merwe and others are stepping into the unknown.

They have absolutely no idea how ferocious South Africa are going to be. They are going to be superhuman.

I am not saying it is right or wrong, but the risk is that you've taken two players out [Conor Murray and Josh Adams] who have experienced that environment and were probably mentally ready for it.

Francois Louw
Former Springbok flanker

South Africa have a very specific way of playing.

I think South Africa will just stick to what they're good at and just slowly chip away.

Wales player Dan Lydiate is pumped and ready to go...

Make all final preparations, it's almost time.

Image source, Getty Images

As Johnson suggested, the Lions face a mental as well as physical battle against South Africa today.

South Africa was battling a third wave of the virus when the Lions arrived and, more recently, the country has seen riots and looting sparked by the jailing of former President Jacob Zuma.

The Springboks released a statement last week telling South Africa "we share your pain" and saying they wanted to provide the nation with hope.

"South Africans, we all hold our country very close to our heart, and the guys find courage in that," former Springbok Francois Louw explained on BBC Radio 5 Live.

"There is the extra they need from the surroundings and what is going on there, the uprisings and unrest, and also the fact there just hasn't been any rugby played for a long time.

"It is a game that's so big for us in South Africa and the people peg so much on that."

Image source, Getty Images

If you haven't listened to the latest episode of Sam Warburton's Lions Legends with Martin Johnson, you should.

Johnson speaks frankly about the pressures of being a Lions captain as well as giving a behind-the-scenes take on that Everest speech.

Perhaps most revealingly for today's encounter, he said this:

"There are two countries who can come out with an emotional level that you can't reach and they are the French and the South Africans."

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Alun Wyn Jones will become the first pro-era player to compete in 10 consecutive tests for the Lions.

The tour against South Africa is the fourth he has been involved in after playing in the 2009, 2013 and 2017 campaigns.

This is just another record the Welshman has as he became the most capped international rugby player of all time in October 2020.

How Jones' left shoulder holds up after the dislocation will be a game within a game today.

Image source, Getty Images

Chris Jones
BBC rugby union correspondent

South Africa may have a reputation as a fairly predictable side, but make no mistake their coaches are smart and canny. During the World Cup final, now-head coach Jacques Nienaber combined his role as defensive guru with physio duties - he is a qualified medic - so he was able to go onto the field and get messages to the players.

And this afternoon, with Nienaber head coach and Rassie Erasmus becoming director of rugby, Erasmus will be on water-carrying duties, something which has slightly irked Warren Gatland. Opportunism or innovation from the Boks? You decide.

Image source, Getty Images

Controversy was sparked on Thursday as it emerged that the Lions were apparently furious that a South African television match official would be used for all three Tests.

Forwards coach Robin McBryde confirmed they had only learned of the switch on Wednesday.

Marius Jonker was chosen after New Zealander Brendon Pickerill was unable to travel because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

"There's a slight lack of foresight because there's a reason why that position is neutral," McBryde said.

Here is hoping the TMO is not the main talking point after today's match.

Ex-Lion Stephen Ferris is reflecting on his own experience in the jersey.

Image source, BBC Sport and Getty Images

Keep an eye on these two today. Wing Cheslin Kolbe has been a star of world rugby for a few years now and South African-born Scotland player Duhan van der Merwe will have his work cut out.

As you can see, Van der Merwe is a tad bulkier and he says him and Kolbe are "two completely different players".

Van der Merwe said: "Cheslin is an amazing player - probably one of the best in the world at the moment and it is going to be a big challenge for me but going up against him is something I'm really looking forward to."

Van der Merwe might expect a bit of trash talk against the Springboks, but says it will not bother him.

No matter where in the world you are, if you're a rugby fan you're awake for this surely. New Zealand scrum-half Aaron Smith is in.

Chris Jones
BBC rugby union correspondent

The last time there were four Scots in a Lions Test team was the first Test in New Zealand in 1993, when Kenny Milne, Paul Burnell, Andy Reed and Gavin Hastings faced the All Blacks.

This one's quite important then.

Wales player Jamie Roberts reflects on his Lions experience.

The British and Irish Lions have already faced South Africa A on this tour, but it was pretty much a Springboks side with 18 World Cup winners in the squad.

The tourists lost that encounter 17-13 10 days ago, but this Lions side is much changed to that one.

Warren Gatland has chosen 12 different players in his starting XV to the ones who suffered the tour's only defeat so far.

Image source, Getty Images

Former Lions player Neil Back sends a good luck message to the Lions.