IAN McGEECHAN, in his last post-match press conference as Lions coach, expressed the sheer exhilaration and relief that his team would not be going home completely empty-handed. He also rated this series against the Springboks as among his best memories.

“This has been one of the most outstanding Test series I have been involved in,” he said. “Today is up there with my most satisfying days as a coach. We could have come here 1-1 or even 2-0. We were very accurate, very intense, we kept ball and our execution was superb. It is a victory that will last for four years.

“The commitment and the courage of the players were incredible and I am delighted for all the supporters who had something to smile about.”

Of the rather make-do-and-mend nature of the team at the end, with Mike Phillips out of position in the centre, McGeechan said: “You are sometimes asked to do something in a Lions jersey that you are never asked to do in any other context. But sometimes players find something inside them that has never been obvious before and that is what happened yesterday.

“But we should also pay tribute to South Africa. We both came here desperate to win the series, and it is they who have done so.”

Paul O’Connell, the captain who had his best game of the tour, said: “It has been a very tough week, probably more difficult than if we had been going to try to win the series. To lose Jamie Roberts and Brian O’Driscoll in the centre was also a setback because they have been our two best players. But when you see Tommy Bowe and Riki Flutey coming in and playing so well you realise what the Lions jersey can do for people. The atmosphere we have created has been remarkable, we have pulled out a great performance for the Lions jersey and it would have been very hard and a long summer if we had gone home at 3-0.”

Shane Williams, the Lions try hero with two in the first half, said: “The Lions have a massive future, and this shirt is the pinnacle of everyone’s career. This is a team that could continue forever.”

The one sour note was struck by the Springbok team deciding to wear white armbands in solidarity with Bakkies Botha, the lock who was suspended for two weeks after the Second Test, for dangerously challenging in a ruck. Since Botha was suspended and then had his suspension confirmed on appeal, the action of the team could draw disciplinary measures from the International Rugby Board.

Privately the Lions party feel the gesture was entirely inappropriate, especially considering the fact that Adam Jones, the player injured by Botha’s charge, faces a period of more than six months out of the game with a serious shoulder injury.

Afterwards, McGeechan dismissed any chance of a role in the next Lions tour, to Australia in 2013. As a player and coach he finishes 10-8 to the good with one match drawn. Considering the distinctly chequered history of Lions results, it is a magical achievement.