Having come came off the bench in the first Test defeat in Durban and then started last week’s second Test heartbreak in Pretoria, the Welsh international would now love to experience an elusive Test victory with Britain and Ireland’s elite.

“It’s been a difficult week. The series is over now but we’ve got this last Test to play and the boys want to get a W,” said Rees, who has spent his entire professional career to date playing in the Celtic League.

“It’s important for the Lions, it’s important for individuals and there’s no better way than to finish with a win. The boys know it’s a tough challenge ahead, but it’s a good one as well. We just can’t wait until Saturday now.

“It’s been great to see the amount of support that’s come over. The atmosphere last week was awesome and we want to win for them as well as ourselves and the management.

“As long as we put things right from last week, we can come away with a win. If we concentrate for the full 80, I’m positive we can come away with a W.”

Rees will pack down between two new colleagues in Johannesburg after Magners League compatriots Gethin Jenkins and Adam Jones were both ruled out through injuries suffered during the bruising encounter at Loftus Versfeld.

The 28-year-old will be joined in the front row by Englishmen Andrew Sheridan and Phil Vickery, with the latter having endured a torrid experience at scrum time during the first international between the two sides. But Rees is not expecting those problems to repeat themselves this time around as the class of 2009 look to avoid becoming the first set of Lions to be whitewashed on South African soil.

“Over the last few years, Andrew Sheridan and Phil Vickery have proved that they are great players and I’m looking forward to playing with them on Saturday,” added Rees.

“Phil knows what he’s got to do this week and I’m sure he’ll do it well. I know what Phil’s like and he’s looking forward to the challenge after what happened in the first Test.

“The first Test was a bit of an eye opener for us but last week I thought we scrummaged well up until Adam and Gethin went off. That was pleasing from our point of view.”