British and Irish Lions boss Ian McGeechan hailed his team's composure after they slugged out a bruising victory over the Southern Kings.

The home side had two players yellow-carded, while the Lions lost two players to injury – prop Euan Murray and fly-half James Hook.

And there was ill-feeling immediately after the game when rival fly-halves Ronan O'Gara and Jaco van der Westhuyzen were involved in a pushing match.

Murray suffered a sprained ankle, while a dazed Hook could not continue after being on the receiving end of a crunching tackle.

Centre Gordon D'Arcy and flanker Nathan Hines were also in the wars at various stages.

Welsh referee Nigel Owens sin-binned fly-half Van der Westhuyzen and Ross Skeate.

The Lions prevailed through wing Ugo Monye's second-half try and a later penalty try, while substitute O'Gara kicked two penalties and two conversions to topple the Kings.

The home side claimed a van der Westhuyzen penalty and a late Mpho Mbiyozo try.

"They (Southern Kings) wanted to make a game of it," said McGeechan.

"It was pretty full on, and we had to keep enough composure to win the game.

"A penalty try proved technically that we kept our heads. We kept doing damage where it hurt them most.

"The players have swapped jerseys, and we move on. We've come out with a win – our composure was very important.

"I am really proud of the discipline we showed – it showed the players' focus – and they got their just reward."

McGeechan's focus now turns to the Test in Durban. He is due to announce his line-up on Thursday.

"We might have an initial chat tonight, but tomorrow we will go through every position and have a discussion," he added. "There are close calls in a number of areas.

"I thought we were very professional, which is what I was proud of. The players responded very well to each other.

"They wanted to produce a tough game for us, and they did that. They were keen to do well against us."

Lions skipper Donncha O'Callaghan added: "We were disappointed with the try we conceded at the end, to be honest.

"It was a hugely physical game, but there was no ill-feeling. Things go on in a game, and straight away after a game it's harder to forget about a few slaps in the face.

"At times, we gave away a few silly penalties, but the guys were very composed with an awful lot of stuff going on off the ball."