LLANDOVERY man Wyn Jones says the British and Irish Lions' tour of South Africa is a chance for some players to avenge their World Cup defeats against the Springboks.

The loosehead prop played in Wales' agonising 16-19 semi-final defeat to the Springboks, who then went on to lift the cup by beating England 32-12 in the final in Yokohama.

With the Springboks being world champions once more, as they were in 2009 -just as the All Backs were on the 2017 tour - Jones believes this series has added significance.

"It feels like we've got a second chance at it, and we definitely wouldn't want it to happen again," Jones remarked on the World Cup defeat to South Africa two years ago.

"They're reigning world champions, the best team in the world, and you want to measure yourself against the best in the world, so this is a big opportunity for us to do so.

"We know what they bring - they're a big, powerful pack and a big, powerful team, and we look forward to taking them on."

The 29-year-old Scarlets man came on as a replacement the 28-10 win over Japan at Murrayfield, and started in the 56-14 win against Emirates Lions in Johannesburg.

The Lions have not lost a series since their most recent visit to South Africa in 2009, beating Australia in 2013 and drawing with New Zealand four years later.

Coach Warren Gatland was in charge of both those trips, and would want nothing more than to inflict defeat on a South Africa, who he also beat as Wales coach.

"We've got some players who've had success against South Africa, and some disappointments too, so that makes it exciting, and we'll keep improving." he said.

"I know how motivated this group is at the moment, they put on the Lions jersey and want to compete for a Test spot, and that makes the coach's job easy.

"We're very motivated to want to leave South Africa with a Test series victory."

The Lions take on the Sharks on Wednesday at Ellis Park, and on 10 July they face the Bulls, the only South African provincial team the Lions have lost to, on the 1997 tour.

The first Test of the three-match series against South Africa will take place on Saturday, 24 July, in Cape Town.