British and Irish Lions captain Ronan O'Gara said the terrible weather conditions during his team's 13-13 draw with the Emerging Springboks had spoiled his players' chances of selection for the second Test.

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A blustery gale and torrential downpours failed to spur the Lions players on to any great heights, although it took a last-minute try and a touchline conversion to deny them victory.

"The conditions were very difficult, up there with the worst I have experienced, and it was a particularly disappointing night because there were several players who needed to push for selection to the Test side and we never got the opportunity. It was extremely hard weather to play in," O'Gara said.

Lions fullback Keith Earls looked a cut above the other backs in the torrid conditions, scoring the Lions' only try.

"He's a youngster who's got attitude in spades. We saw tonight how he took his try and his kicking game was really good too. He's a huge talent and, considering it's his first season of senior rugby, what he's achieved is massive, more than maybe anyone else since Jonny Wilkinson," O'Gara said.

Lions coach Ian McGeechan said he had sympathy for his players.

"I feel sorry for the players, it was very difficult for them, basically a kicking game in a monsoon," McGeechan said.

"The conditions were a leveller and not a lot of rugby was played out there.

"But I'm absolutely happy with the defence, it was outstanding, a very strong defensive performance if you take the last minute away. The attitude on the field was superb and we haven't lost either, which is very important."

McGeechan said the dire conditions were far from what he wanted at the weekend when the Lions try to save the series in the second Test against the Springboks in Pretoria.

Emerging Springboks coach Dick Muir, also the backline coach of the senior team, said his side's goal had been to stop Lions momentum.

"After their comeback in the first Test, it was important that we reversed their momentum and I think we did that. We maybe tried to play too much rugby in the first half, which is why I called on Willem de Waal in the second half to consolidate with his kicking game," Muir said.