Rugby-Gatland delighted with Lions' appetite for the fight against Springboks

Rugby Union - First Test - South Africa v British and Irish Lions - Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town, South Africa - July 24, 2021 South Africa's Handre Pollard in action REUTERS/Mike Hutchings

CAPE TOWN (Reuters) - British & Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland praised his players for staying in the bout as an excellent second half performance powered them to a bruising 22-17 victory over world champions South Africa in the first test in Cape Town on Saturday.

The Lions trailed 12-3 at halftime, but won the physical battle in the second period as they began to dominate in the scrums and finished the game much the stronger against a wilting home side.