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"Let's not get too pessimistic," the wise were cautioning at Rustenberg. "Let's not get carried away," they were urging last night, at Ellis Park. We can genuinely be happy about some of the events, however.

First, the pattern that the Lions played: it seemed so grooved in that it was as if it had always come naturally, whereas in fact, only Wales of the home unions play anything like the way that the Lions are trying to - with fluency, pace, offloading and really going for it when the chances arise. Last Saturday, against Royal XV, it was as if nobody had much idea what the plan was. Last night, everyone was on a wavelength.

Again, let's not crown individuals as kings of the veldt as yet. But what about Tommy Bowe? He had never really looked like bursting into the very top class, but things are changing. What was so impressive about him last night was his calm footballing, his incisive wit and his needle-sharp execution.

He might just be the kind of player who the Springboks find tough to defend against: coming late, coming from out of nowhere, coming along odd lines and angles and playing with composure.

Let's see. But the tour is on the road.

Low interest yield

It was not only the Transvaal team whose reputation was on the line after they were taken apart by the Lions last night. What about the reputation of their fans, not to mention the level of support for the whole concept of the Lions? A crowd of less than 23,000 at Ellis Park let down a tradition and should send shock waves around South African rugby authorities.

No panic yet, but if there are not significant gatherings at Bloemfontein on Saturday and in Durban next week then the legendary appetite for the Lions in the hearts and minds of the host nation will be called into question and the idea, hated by most but espoused by a few, that the Lions would come to play a warm-up game and three Tests only, will gain support.

And my goodness, what a scruffy place Ellis Park has become these days. It was haunting to be back at the location where Nelson Mandela danced and that 747 dipped into the stadium bowl at the 1995 World Cup, but it desperately needs an upgrade. There are around 500 hangers-on making the place and the touchlines look untidy and some of the pre-game show acts would have not so much attracted the ire of Simon Cowell, as make him shoot himself.

Last orders

Late last night the Lions were in the bar of their Sandton hotel, seated in a giant circle, happy, united, restrained, with the odd small beer being downed with lots of orange juice ... though not in the same glass.

Test teams these days are shut away in pompous, self-serving, excluding camps, shunning the outside world, their followers and the media. These Lions have been approachable and genial. They have had time for people and are clearly coming together, too. They use public rooms and the England contingent, to name one lot, have been vastly more amenable than they ever are when playing for their country.

There are no illusions. If things go badly, they may retreat and there may be hostility. But good on the management for allowing them to be human. And good on the Lions for reacting.

Stephen Jones is travelling all day today and is unable to respond to your comments. He will answer twice as many in tomorrow's bulletin.