"We have seven weeks to get together to play a team that has been together for almost seven years," said Edwards.
"It's the biggest thing I've ever been a part of in my coaching career. We know the Springboks are a very good side and they have huge depth in quality with great experience, speed and power from 1-15."
Edwards realises the task at hand and was left frustrated after seeing the Lions try-line breached on three occasions by a makeshift Royal XV in the opening game last Saturday.
"The one thing we know for sure is that we aren't going to win a Test series if we let in three tries a game against the Springboks," said Edwards.
"The players are just an extension of me really. If they miss a tackle I'm with them in spirit and body. I'm just like a player who has a bad game when I see my team concede tries - it hurts," he added.
The British Lions tackle the Golden Lions in Johannesburg this afternoon in their second match of the tour. The home side has a sprinkling of talented players with Springbok flyhalf Andre Pretorius a particular threat.
Meanwhile Springboks coach Peter de Villiers has announced a 28-man squad for the Test series which includes uncapped Blue Bulls fly half Morne Steyn and Lions No 10 Earl Rose.
Springbok Squad:
Forwards:
John Smit - Sharks - Captain
Victor Matfield - Vodacom Blue Bulls - Vice-Captain
Andries Bekker - Vodacom Western Province
Bakkies Botha - Vodacom Blue Bulls
Schalk Burger - Vodacom Western Province
Deon Carstens - Sharks
Bismarck du Plessis - Sharks
Ryan Kankowski - Sharks
Tendai Mtawarira - Sharks
Chiliboy Ralepelle - Vodacom Blue Bulls
Danie Rossouw - Vodacom Blue Bulls
Juan Smith - Vodacom Cheetahs
Pierre Spies - Vodacom Blue Bulls
Gurthrö Steenkamp - Vodacom Blue Bulls
Backs:
Jean de Villiers - Vodacom Western Province
Fourie du Preez - Vodacom Blue Bulls
Jaque Fourie - Xerox Lions
Bryan Habana - Vodacom Blue Bulls
Adi Jacobs - Sharks
Ricky Januarie - Vodacom Western Province
Odwa Ndungane - Sharks
Jongi Nokwe - Vodacom Cheetahs
Wynand Olivier - Vodacom Blue Bulls
Ruan Pienaar - Sharks
JP Pietersen - Sharks
Earl Rose - Xerox Lions
Frans Steyn - Sharks
Morné Steyn - Vodacom Blue Bulls
Newsroom
Edwards up for 'ultimate challenge'
3 June 2009 11:24am
By
Huw Evans Picture Agency
Lions defensive coach Shaun Edwards has described the forthcoming three-Test series against world champions South Africa as 'the ultimate rugby challenge.'
WRU TV
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