Warren Gatland believes the Blue Bulls' stunning Super 14 triumph has underlined how tough a task the British and Irish Lions face in South Africa.
The tourists play game two of their 10-match trip tomorrow night against Super 14 outfit the Golden Lions.
But South Africa is still buzzing after the Bulls' remarkable 61-17 demolition of Waikato Chiefs three days ago that saw them crowned champions of that competition.
And it sent out strong warning signals to the Lions, given the Bulls' sizeable contingent of Springboks who will feature in Test series action later this month.
Lions assistant coach Gatland said: 'The Bulls were pretty special on Saturday night.
‘They would have probably beaten most sides in the world, including international teams.
‘I spoke to some of the Chiefs side, and they said they were blown away by a really physical side.
‘That is the challenge, for us to try and match that power and physicality in the next few weeks.
‘You see guys accelerating into the breakdown, getting low and being really aggressive. We have to improve dramatically in that area.
‘That is my challenge. We have to keep saying to the guys that every collision is 100%. That is the only way we have a chance of getting on the front foot and getting some quality ball.’
Ireland captain Brian O'Driscoll takes charge of a Lions team showing just three survivors following the laboured 37-25 victory over an unheralded Royal XV in Rustenburg last Saturday.
Wing Tommy Bowe, centre Jamie Roberts and flanker David Wallace remain, although neither Bowe nor Roberts would have started against the Golden Lions had injuries not omitted Luke Fitzgerald and Riki Flutey from head coach Ian McGeechan's selection plans.
Fitzgerald is recovering from a chest infection, but England centre Flutey's knee injury has sufficiently concerned the Lions for him to require a scan.
McGeechan said: ‘Riki has a pull behind the knee. He's gone for a scan.
‘He felt a little tweak at the end of the game on Saturday, no more than that, and James (Robson, Lions doctor) felt it was important to scan it and make sure there is nothing serious there.’
Four players will make their Lions debuts - full-back Rob Kearney, wing Ugo Monye, lock Nathan Hines and flanker Tom Croft - while six other newcomers, including fit-again forwards Andy Powell and Stephen Ferris, feature on the bench.
And five of the substitutes who helped turn around an alarming 25-13 deficit in Rustenburg by sparking a late points blitz, win promotion.
Gatland added: ‘The challenge for our players is to know that nothing is going to come easy.
‘Despite the problems the Golden Lions have had with the changes of coaches and not having a great Super 14, they will have a big crowd behind them and they will be very motivated and very tough and physical.’
The Lions, meanwhile, are preparing to welcome Wales wing Leigh Halfpenny as their final squad member.
Halfpenny remained in Cardiff for intensive treatment on a thigh injury instead of flying to Johannesburg with the squad nine days ago.
But Lions manager Gerald Davies said: ‘We've been monitoring Leigh's progress. We've had encouraging and positive news all along the line.
‘The news is good enough for us to call him. He can come on that plane as soon as he can manage it.’
