Phil Vickery has been backed to cope with the "huge psychological challenge" of a prospective British and Irish Lions Test match return.

England forward Vickery is on course to be reunited with Tendai 'The Beast' Mtawarira in Saturday's Test series finale against world champions South Africa at Ellis Park.

With Wales prop Adam Jones injured and out of the tour, Vickery is favourite to replace him when Lions head coach Ian McGeechan names his team later today.

The England World Cup winner suffered scrummaging torture during the first Test defeat in Durban 12 days ago, being mauled by Mtawarira before going off just five minutes into the second half.

"I think it will be a huge psychological challenge if he (Vickery) starts the game, but one he is capable of overcoming," said Lions scrummaging specialist Graham Rowntree.

"He's a strong character, one of the strongest characters I have come across in the game, both as a fellow player and someone who I've coached.

"I've no doubt, and I will back the bloke on this, that he would get back out there and give a good performance, subject to selection.

"It's going to be tough. Let's not beat around the bush, it was an uncomfortable day in the office for Phil, by his own admittance and by my admittance.

"But there is no-one else out there with his strength of character as an individual. I've never come across anyone better, and I am backing that, if we choose to start with him on the weekend."

The announcement of McGeechan's side, though, is unlikely to deflect from the Schalk Burger eye-gouging controversy that has overshadowed the Test series.

Rowntree has followed Lions centre Brian O'Driscoll in condemning comments made by Springboks coach Peter de Villiers.

De Villiers claimed during the immediate aftermath of last weekend's second Test in Pretoria that Burger should not even have been given a yellow card. He subsequently apologised.

The 50 times-capped flanker was sin-binned after making contact with Lions wing Luke Fitzgerald's eye, an offence that saw him cited and then receive an eight-week ban.

Rowntree added: "The comment was completely out of order.

"It was a crass comment, pathetic really, and I am glad he has had to withdraw it. There is no place in the game for gouging - I think it is ridiculous what he said.

"For any young aspiring player or parents of young players watching that game, and then the national coach almost saying it's (gouging) okay, I think is ridiculous.

"We are upset by it. You can't get away with making those comments.

"The actual incident has been dealt with. Burger has been banned and we will move on."

Rowntree, a Lion in 1997 and 2005 who won 54 England caps and made almost 400 appearances for Leicester, admitted he had been gouged during his playing career.

But he added: "Look, there is no room for it. How a player can think he can get away with it with so many cameras watching the game is beyond me.

"My opinion is there is no room for it in the game. I've never gouged anyone, hand on heart, never.

"What would make a guy want to do that? What advantage he thinks he can get away with by doing it, and how he thinks he can get away with it is just beyond thought for me."