As rugby combinations go, there are few better than South Africa duo Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha – two of the finest locks in the world game.

The most capped second-row partnership in Springbok history, the pair have played alongside each other for just short of a decade and – come the imminent arrival of the British and Irish Lions – will be almost certain to be a key blend against a strong pack of forwards named by Ian McGeechan.

The two came together for the first time in the green and gold when they teamed up against Australia in the opening match of the 2003 Tri-Nations.

But it was two years earlier, at provincial union the Bulls, that their relationship began to develop – both on and off the Loftus Versfeld field.

Here their partnership steadily flourished to where it is today – striking fear into the heart of any opposing second row.

Matfield, the most experienced Springbok lock ever with 80 caps to his name, first joined the Bulls in 1996 as part of the junior set-up.

A natural leader, the 32-year-old is an athletic performer in the lineout and his speed also makes him a threat in the loose.

But he did not find it easy going during his early days at the union and was forced to change teams in a bid to make himself known.

He joined Griqualand West in 1999 and from there made his way into the Cats (now Lions) Super Rugby franchise, before his impressive showings forced his former employers to bring him back to the Bulls, where he has thrived dramatically ever since.

The Pietersburg-born forward went on to make his South Africa debut against Italy in 2001, the same year he was nominated for the country's Player of the Year award – a prize he has been up for on three other occasions without winning it.

In 2007, the two-metre, 109kg Matfield became the 52nd Springbok captain when he led the side against New Zealand in Durban and crowned arguably the greatest year of his career by being one of the stand-out players when South Africa won the World Cup in France.

His importance to the team was highlighted by former Australia coach Eddie Jones, who said: "If you took Victor Matfield out of the South African team, they would have a real problem.

"Lineouts are absolutely crucial and a lineout exponent like him makes a difference. He's outstanding and defends the middle and the back of the lineout.

"He is so good, he has the ability to make decisions and he's unpredictability never gives his opponent an opportunity to rest."

His time in South African rugby looked to have ended after the World Cup when he joined French club Toulon, but he has since returned and will now be one of the key players against the Lions when the first Test kicks off in Durban on June 20.

Like Matfield, Bulls team-mate Botha is also set to be a pivotal man come the arrival of the tourists.

The 29-year-old, seen as South Africa's enforcer, is often the unsung hero of the team with his ability to bulk forward and create space for others around him.

Botha, a 2.02-metre and 120kg figure, began his playing days with the Falcons Rugby Union, also based around the Johannesburg area, in 2000, before moving to the Bulls a year later.

Here he met up with Matfield and his first season performance earned him a national 'A' team call-up at the end of 2001, followed by his international debut against France 12 months later.

He was consequently a nominee for national player of the year for three years running and like his club team-mate, had an outstanding 2007, which apart from World Cup glory also included the Super 14 crown.

After bringing home the William Webb Ellis trophy, then South Africa coach Jake White paid tribute to the man who has gone on to earn 55 Springbok caps.

He said: "Great teams have big players. Not in a physical sense but in the impact they have and in the impression they make on their team-mates.

"The common denominator for our team has always been Bakkies, whether Victor is there or not. During the World Cup, Bakkies was so important to us.

"We took him off as soon as he wasn't needed in a game because we knew we needed him to start the next one."

Exceptional praise for a player that had formed a key part of White's team and a man, who together with Matfield, will be two of the stand-outs when they face the might of the Paul O'Connell-led Lions.