Nick Cain meets South Africa's Pierre Spies, the self proclaimed best No.8 in the world, in The Times.

"The self-confidence of some of 2009 Lions squad may be feeling a little fragile after Saturday's 26-24 escape against the Free State Cheetahs, but as the tour goes on it will also be dawning on them that South African rugby players do not do self-doubt. "Their self-belief is best highlighted by Pierre Spies, the player dubbed the Springbok Superman, who said this, after being asked in a recent SA Rugby magazine interview who he considers to be the best No 8 in the world: "That player is still in the making. It's me." "Quizzed further on whether the 23-year-old Spies really believes that to be the case - he is the same age as the Lions backrowers Stephen Ferris and Tom Croft - he responded that he is not going to apologise for having confidence in his own ability despite the world-class credentials of Italian No 8 Sergio Parisse."