South Africa 9 British and Irish Lions 28: Ian McGeechan celebrated the British and Irish Lions' 28-9 third Test win against South Africa and told his players: "This victory will last for four years."

The Lions had already lost the series after two nailbiting defeats – but they rallied in emphatic fashion to record a record-equalling victory over the Springboks.

Shane Williams raced in for two tries as the Lions opened a 15-6 half-time lead and the result was sealed with an interception try from Ugo Monye and 13 points from the boot of Stephen Jones.

The Lions will struggle to escape the feeling of what might have been – but McGeechan insisted his men can head home with their heads held high.

He said: "This victory will last for four years. It has been a fantastic series, probably one of the outstanding Test series I have been involved in.

"I must say congratulations to the Springboks. They won the series we both wanted.

"But what these players have achieved in just six weeks should not be underestimated. They have played the world champions in their own back yard and given as good as they have got for three Tests.

"There was just a total of eight points' difference in the first two Tests. We thought it might be the same in this one but the players came with a real intent and focus, and it showed."

Williams rediscovered his form while Jamie Heaslip, Phil Vickery, Martyn Williams, Tommy Bowe and Riki Flutey were all immense.

Bowe was moved off the wing and Flutey given his Lions Test debut after injuries to the centres Jamie Roberts and Brian O'Driscoll.

"Maybe it is something to do with the Lions jersey. You do things sometimes you have never been asked to do in any other context," added McGeechan. "Players that buy into that often find something. Shane was great today. Tommy and Riki stepped in and had really good games.

"I thought Phil Vickery was outstanding and the pack brought a real intensity to the game."

Captain Paul O'Connell was struck almost immediately by a pang of regret, that his side could have won the series.

The Lions lost 26-21 in Durban and 28-25 to the last kick of the game in Pretoria.

"I started thinking straight away after the final whistle that after we get over enjoying this we might be filled with regret. Sport can be cruel," said O'Connell.

"We wallowed a bit for two or three days (after the defeat in Pretoria). We started talking a lot about the shirt. We talked about guys getting their first Lions cap and guys possibly getting their last. By the end of the week we rallied.

"This win was very satisfying. It has been a tough week for everyone, knowing we are out of the series. We really had to dig deep.

"Everyone stood up and put in a big performance, not just for the Lions jersey but for the atmosphere we have created as a group."

Despite showing seven changes following the series-losing defeat in Pretoria – and being without injured talismen like O'Driscoll and Roberts – the Lions responded magnificently.

And the result saw them match the record 28-9 Lions success against South Africa of Willie John McBride's all-conquering 1974 tourists.

From Vickery at the coal-face to the supremely confident Ireland full-back Rob Kearney, Lions heroes were everywhere.

Mike Phillips performed at his optimum, combining fierce aggression with the full range of scrum-half skills, while Flutey produced a stunning flick-pass assist for Williams' second try and he also defended like a man possessed. But it was up front where the Lions took charge, spearheaded by No 8 Jamie Heaslip's colossal contribution and the tireless work-rate of Wales flanker Martyn Williams.

The Springboks might have been a much-changed – and weaker – outfit after wrapping up the series, yet nothing should detract from what was a supreme Lions performance.

Over the series, they outscored South Africa on points and tries, but were ultimately undone by Morne Steyn's last-gasp penalty at Loftus Versfeld. It was that close – an unrelenting, unforgettable three-match series decided by the finest of margins.