Lions head coach Ian McGeechan pulled no late selection surprises for his starting XV for the first Test, with Croft to start against the world champions at blind-side flanker.

David Wallace held off the challenge from Martyn Williams to claim the open-side berth with his Ireland colleague Jamie Heaslip completing a back row combination with proven success on tour.

Jamie Roberts and Brian O’Driscoll have also struck up an effective midfield partnership while McGeechan has opted for Welsh pair Stephen Jones and Mike Phillips in the half-backs.

Alun-Wyn Jones won the race to start alongside captain Paul O’Connell in the second row with Phil Vickery and Gethin Jenkins to prop alongside England hooker Lee Mears.

There were two notable omissions from the match 22 with no place on the bench for winger Shane Williams, the 2008 world player of the year, and England prop Andrew Sheridan.

Wales’ Adam Jones has been named as the replacement prop with Rob Kearney covering the back three.

McGeechan explained form and successful combinations underpinned the selection for Saturday’s first Test.

“The Test team has been picked on form following the six provincial matches. There were some very difficult calls to make as the players as a group and individually have done everything that we have asked of them and performed on the field,” said McGeechan.

“It has been 20 years since a Lions team has won all of its provincial matches leading up to the Test series so it is very satisfying to be in such a position.

“The entire squad and the management have worked hard to create an outstanding team environment. Everyone has done this very professionally and it is fair to say that I would not change anything that we have done so far.”

Donncha O’Callaghan, who captained the Lions against the Southern Kings in midweek, Matthew Rees, Harry Ellis and Ronan O’Gara completed the replacement bench.

Scotland prop Euan Murray was unavailable for selection with an ankle injury, which, McGeechan confirmed, has ruled him out of the tour.

James Hook was also not considered after suffering a blow to the head against the Southern Kings this week but the Wales fly-half is expected to be available to face the Emerging Springboks on Tuesday.

British and Irish Lions team to play South Africa in the first Test in Durban on Saturday:

L Byrne (Wales and Ospreys); T Bowe (Ireland and Ospreys), B O’Driscoll (Ireland and Leinster), J Roberts (Wales and Cardiff Blues), U Monye (England and Harlequins); S Jones (Wales and Scarlets), M Phillips (Wales and Ospreys); G Jenkins (Wales and Cardiff Blues), L Mears (England and Bath), P Vickery (England and Wasps), Alun-Wyn Jones (Wales and Ospreys), P O’Connell (Ireland and Munster, capt), T Croft (England and Leicester), D Wallace (Ireland and Munster), J Heaslip (Ireland and Leinster).

Replacements: M Rees (Wales and Scarlets), A Jones (Wales and Ospreys), D O’Callaghan (Ireland and Munster), M Williams (Wales and Cardiff Blues), H Ellis (England and Leicester), R O’Gara (Ireland and Munster), R Kearney (Ireland and Leinster).