Scotland lock Nathan Hines put in another workmanlike performance as the British and Irish Lions made it five wins out of five as they defeated Western Province 26-23 at Newlands, Cape Town on Saturday.

Hines, who contributed some of his customary high quality off-loads looks the best placed Scot to challenge for a place in next week's team for the opening Test match against South Africa in Durban, albeit prop Euan Murray reminded the selectors of his scrummaging abilities with a powerful contribution off the bench against Western Province.

Meanwhile, Scotland captain Mike Blair, who had been scheduled to be among the substitutes in Cape Town, had to withdraw on Saturday morning after spraining a ligament in his foot in training on Friday.

Blair will receive intensive treatment from the Lions medics, led by Scotland team doctor James Robson, in the hope that he can be fit for the Lions final match before the first Test - against the Southern Kings in Port Elizabeth on Tuesday (kick-off 2pm BST).

Blair's Edinburgh team-mate, hooker Ross Ford, was also introduced off the bench at the same point as Murray against Western Province and he, too, contributed to an impressive Lions scrummage at a key time in the game when the locals sensed they had a chance of victory.

However fellow sub James Hook's long-range penalty took the Lions home.  Their earlier points came from tries by Tommy Bowe, Ugo Monye and Martyn Williams, a conversion from Stephen Jones and two penalties from Jones.