BRITISH and Irish Lions head coach Ian McGeechan admitted Saturday’s last-gasp defeat to South Africa was one of the biggest disappointments of his rugby career.

Morne Steyn’s injury-time penalty earned the Springboks a dramatic 28-25 victory in Pretoria to seal a series triumph for the world champions.

McGeechan said: ‘‘It’s certainly one of the biggest (disappointments), because I think the players deserved more. Just to see their faces afterwards was very sad.

‘‘We could be sat here with two Test victories. We haven’t had the rub of the green on the field.’’ The Lions suffered a double blow with the news props Gethin Jenkins and Adam Jones have been ruled out of the third Test after undergoing surgery on respective cheekbone and shoulder injuries.

Brian O’Driscoll (concussion), Jamie Roberts (wrist) and Tommy Bowe (elbow) will all be monitored during the week before a decision is taken on their availability.

Whoever takes to the field, McGeechan is confident his troops have enough about them to win the third Test.

‘‘There’s a lot of character in this group,’’ he said. ‘‘People asked me the same question last week and I think they got their answer. It will be the same again.

‘‘They’re an incredible group of young men. Whatever happens with injuries, we’ll be ready to win the third Test.’’ McGeechan has voiced his displeasure over alleged eyegouging by South Africa flanker Schalk Burger on Lions wing Luke Fitzgerald.

Burger was summoned to attend a disciplinary hearing in Pretoria yesterday after being cited following the first-minute incident at Loftus Versfeld.

He could face a ban if the case is proved against him, having escaped during the game with only a yellow from referee Christophe Berdos.

Burger’s team-mate Bakkies Botha, meanwhile, also faced disciplinary chiefs following his citing for a dangerous charge on Lions prop Adam Jones, who underwent surgery on Saturday on a dislocated shoulder.

‘‘I could never condone actions like that,’’ said coach McGeechan, of the Burger incident.

‘‘It should automatically be a red card.’’ McGeechan also hit back at comments from his Springboks counterpart Peter de Villiers.

He added: ‘‘I heard a quote (from de Villiers) that it might be part of the game. To me, that is never part of the game.

‘‘I am disappointed he said that. I can’t see that ever being part of the game. It certainly wouldn’t be part of a game I want to be associated with.’’