The British and Irish Lions were left licking their wounds after a nail-biting 28-25 second Test loss to South Africa on Saturday sealed a series defeat.

The Lions controlled the first 40 minutes and led 16-8 at half-time, with Stephen Jones putting in a faultless display with his boot, kicking 20 points in the match at Loftus Versfeld.

But it was not enough to stop a late Springbok comeback in the shape of a Jaque Fourie try converted by Morne Steyn, who then kicked the match-winning penalty on full-time after Ronan O'Gara took out Pierre Spies when contesting an up-and-under.

"I'm very proud of the players," said McGeechan. "They don't deserve to be two down in the Test series, it's as simple as that.

"They put in a fantastic effort and today was a tremendous performance.

"It's disappointing that we've given South Africa an opportunity they shouldn't have had."

In a hard-hitting match, the Lions were decimated by the end, with Adam Jones (shoulder), Gethin Jenkins (cheekbone), Tommy Bowe (elbow) and Jamie Roberts (wrist) among those taken off because of injury.

"We think there are some significant injuries, three or four," confirmed McGeechan.

The Lions head coach also decried some refereeing decisions that have not gone the way of his team.

"We haven't had the rub of the green in some of the decisions this week or last week. The result won't change, you've just got to live with it," he said.

Lions captain Paul O'Connell added: "We're bitterly disappointed at a huge opportunity lost.

"It's a big challenge, the Lions coming together as a team. As rugby gets more and more professional, the harder it is to come together and gel as a team.

"It takes a lot of open-mindedness and hard work from the coaches and players to do that and I think that in fairness we did it. We were just a bit unlucky and made some crucial mistakes at times."

O'Connell said there would be no problem motivating his troops for the third Test next Saturday at Ellis Park, Johannesburg.

"It'll be a disappointing few days but the guys will be looking forward to playing next week. Motivation comes from wearing a Lions jersey.

"If we'd played badly it might have been a difficult place, but that's not the case."

But Springbok skipper John Smit warned that there would be more to come from the hosts.

"We want to keep up standards," he said, looking ahead to the third Test.

"We still haven't quite hit the button yet. It's still early season for us, we still have a lot of work to do to really get full throttle going."

South Africa's Schalk Burger and Bakkies Botha were both cited for foul play during the win.

Making his 50th appearance for the Boks, flank forward Burger was cited after allegedly gouging the eyes of Lions wing Luke Fitzgerald in the first minute, earning him ten minutes in the sin bin.

Second row Botha was cited for dangerously charging Jones in the fourth minute of the second half.

Both players will appear before Judicial Officer Alan Hudson of Canada in Pretoria on Sunday.

If the cases are proved, both are expected to miss next Saturday's third test.

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