Warren Gatland insisted his British and Irish Lions players left Cape Town Stadium with renewed conviction of their ability to win the Test series despite a 17-13 defeat by South Africa A.

A powerful shadow Springboks squad containing 11 World Cup winners and packed with 522 caps started ominously as they ran into a 17-3 half-time lead, but the Lions fought back through a Wyn Jones try and the boot of Owen Farrell.

While it appears South Africa have landed a psychological blow ahead of the series that starts on Saturday week, Gatland said his tourists are feeling “bullish” following a game billed as the unofficial fourth Test.

“But if everything goes according to plan, we will play the Bulls and they will play the Stormers.”

Erasmus acted as water boy for his team, prompting Gatland to quip: “It was a little bit interesting! You won’t see me doing that. Different strokes for different folks, I suppose.

“A little bit strange, the director of South African rugby also being a water boy.”