England prop Phil Vickery will become the third player to captain the Lions on their current tour against Western Province this weekend © Getty Images

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Matches: Western Province 23 - 26 British and Irish Lions

Players/Officials: Tom Croft | Gethin Jenkins | Alun Wyn Jones | Ian McGeechan | Paul O'Connell | Brian O'Driscoll | Phil Vickery

Tournaments/Tours: British and Irish Lions tour

Teams: British and Irish Lions | South Africa

New Lions skipper Phil Vickery has urged his side give head coach Ian McGeechan a big selection headache against Western Province at Newlands on Saturday.

The former England captain will become the third player to lead the Lions on their current tour when he spearheads their bid for a fifth successive victory following their wins over the Royal XV, Golden Lions, Cheetahs and Shark. And with the first Test against South Africa less than a week away the 73-times capped prop has thrown down the gauntlet to his new-look side.

"There is everything to play for tomorrow," insisted the 33-year-old who three Lions Test caps in 2001. "I want to make sure the guys go out and give no less than 100% and make it as difficult as possible for the coaches to select that (Test) team.

McGeechan has consistently underlined his desire to give every member of his squad the best possible chance to put their case for Test selection - a process that is set to run all the way up to the Lions' last warm-up clash against the Southern Kings in Tuesday. And Vickery, preparing for his 10th appearance in the famous red jersey, has encouraged his players to leave nothing to chance in the countdown to the first clash with the Springboks.

"I don't want to be part of a Lions team that loses and I certainly don't want to captain a Lions team that loses for the first time on tour. It is a big, big game for us. Everyone is aware of that, and we will be doing everything we can to make sure we keep the ball rolling."

Vickery is wary that his side could also be distracted by the forthcoming Test series and has warned his team mates not to look beyond the two hurdles they must clear, and impressively at that, before going head-to-head with the Springboks.

"Purely from a personal point of view, I think we are at a very dangerous time of the tour," said Vickery. "The big realisation for me was arriving [in Cape Town] last night and probably for the first time seeing so many supporters here.

"We were talking to people at the airport and they were saying how the red army is on its way. The worrying thing for me, more than anything, is all the talk is of the Test next week, but we've got two games to go before then.

"I don't think we can underestimate the importance of tomorrow's game. If I was in the opposition team I would be thinking 'they are seven days away from the first Test, are they really going to be going hell for leather for it?'

"We've got to be careful not to be carried away by the peripheries, and ultimately go out and win a game of rugby. There are going to be a lot of bitterly disappointed guys when that Test team is announced.

"We are not children, we all realise we can't all play in the Test match. There are going to be some disappointed people. It's how you react. We all knew before we arrived we couldn't all get on the field at the same time.

"There has been lots of talk about the Test team, but let's not forget about tomorrow or next Tuesday. We have to be at the top end of our game, because if we are not then it going to turn into a big dog-fight."

The honour of leading the Lions is just the latest achievement for a durable and inspirational player whose career has been blighted by serious injury. Three backs operations and another on his neck have failed to diminish his hunger for the game and he has been rewarded handsomely.

A Rugby World Cup winner with England in 2003 he also led his country to the final of the sport's showpiece event in 2007 while on the domestic stage he has tasted both Guinness Premiership and Heineken Cup glory.

"I can remember being sat at the press conference when I joined Wasps, and I remember all the questions going to Chris Wright [former club owner] about whether had he taken a big gamble. I remember being sat there and thinking it probably was.

"But since joining Wasps, I've captained England to a World Cup final, I've won more England caps, been selected for a Lions tour to South Africa and I've been asked to be the captain this weekend. It's just been an unbelievable experience."

With Vickery at the forefront of their challenge, expect the Lions to enter Test week with the kind of momentum that will inspire further hope amongst their fans and equal amounts of concern in the Springboks' camp.