South Africa captain John Smit will lead the Springboks against the British and Irish Lions with the message 'its now or never'.

Smit was among a number of leading Springboks to turn down lucrative European club contracts in order to chase the "once in a lifetime" dream of adding a Lions scalp to their 2007 World Cup triumph.

South Africa have had to wait 12 years for another shot at the Lions following their 1997 Test series defeat when, world champions then as they are now, the Springboks were beaten 2-1.

The image of Jeremy Guscott landing the series-winning drop goal is burned on the collective retina of South African rugby, a constant reminder to the Springboks of what is at stake when the first Test kicks off in Durban tomorrow.

"The 2007 World Cup was phenomenal and a lot of the guys will have another crack or two at the World Cup, but we won't have another chance at the Lions," said Smit.

"The team has been buzzing for the last two weeks because of the importance of what is coming. There is so much at stake and we won't have another chance.

"The rarity of the occasion means the hype has been much bigger than any other Test match and that is saying something because there have been some huge matches over the last 12 years.

"A Lions tour is unique, it is the last link with the old school. What makes this series so important is that it is part of more than 100 years of history.

"Players who won the World Cup have stayed in South Africa to play against the Lions. What we have in the next couple of weeks will not come around again.

"There is pressure on us, but not in a negative sense. It is wonderful to have pressure like this because it shows how meaningful this series is."

Smit enjoyed a short spell playing with Clermont Auvergne after the World Cup and Victor Matfield took up a short-term contract with Toulon.

But both realised very quickly their hunger for success with the Springboks had not been sated and neither wanted to sacrifice a shot at the Lions for the money on offer in Europe.

Unlike England post-2003, South Africa took the decision to move on quickly from their World Cup success, to set new goals and to use that triumph in Paris as inspiration.

"The wonderful thing about winning the World Cup is that it is there forever," said Smit.

"We took a decision that to draw on 2007 all the time would hamper how we go forward as a team. We have tried to put 2007 in the past and keep it as a fond memory.

"But I think there is an advantage we can take from 2007. We can draw on those experiences. Those things can only ever help you.

"When you have a 20-year-old in Francois Steyn kicking a three-pointer from the halfway line in the World Cup final to really put the game out of reach, and you have the same guy playing full-back for you two years later in a crunch game against the Lions, that can only help you."

South Africa have been keen to rebuff the idea they will be under-prepared heading into the Test series having not played an international since November.

Smit said: "The biggest fear is to go into a Saturday having wondered if you have covered every detail, but I believe we have had two very productive weeks.

"We have obviously spoken about getting the intensity up. With any Test match, how accurate you are and how successful you are will depend on the intensity you can bring over that 80 minutes."

The Springboks were presented with their jerseys today by the businessman Dr Johann Rupert, whose company has a large financial stake in Saracens.

The South African Rugby Union have also urged the crowd to create a sea of green in the stadium in a bid to combat the travelling army of Lions supporters in Durban.