Anyone doubting the physicality of modern-day rugby union must only look at the British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa as witness to the brutal demands made on players' bodies.
After last Saturday's second Test 28-25 loss against the Springboks, four Lions ended up in hospital with three ruled out of the third Test at Ellis Park today.
Included among those were Brian O'Driscoll (concussion) and Welsh prop duo Gethin Jenkins (broken cheekbone) and Adam Jones, who suffered a dislocated shoulder after a dangerous Bakkies Botha charge during the match.
Speaking after the Test, Lions head coach Ian McGeechan admitted he winced at the ferocity of impacts, even on the training pitch.
"If I get near half the stuff they do, I think it looks too brutal for me," said Mc-Geechan, who played centre for Scotland and the Lions in the 1970s – entertaining stuff with its fair share of big men, but a million miles away from the professional era of rugby union.
"But it's intensity. You've got to play in a Lions Test to understand the level of commitment that goes into them.
"It's for two reasons. Our players still see the Lions jersey as the biggest jersey they can wear but our opponents also think the biggest Test they can play is a Lions Test.
"That has a huge amount of credibility on both sides and that's why there's such commitment and devotion around a Lions Test series and that's been shown in both these matches."
O'Driscoll joins a long list of players who have had their tour cut short because of injury. Wales full-back Lee Byrne was sent home with a damaged thumb, while Scotland prop Euan Murray was ruled out with an ankle injury in the build-up to the first Test, which the Lions lost 26-21.
Welsh winger Leigh Halfpenny was a late arrival, but didn't last long with his ongoing thigh injury proving too much for the 20-year-old.
The Lions have also seen Wales captain Ryan Jones come and go almost immediately after being diagnosed with concussion on arrival in South Africa when he was called up to replace Irishman Stephen Ferris (knee).
Indeed, Tom Shanklin (shoulder), Ireland scrum-half Tomas O'Leary (ankle) and hooker Jerry Flattery (elbow), all had to withdraw before the tour due to injuries sustained on the pitch.
So, battered, bruised and bloodied, the Lions head into today's final Test with a point to prove. The series has gone, but the harrowing tactics of the hosts – Schalk Burger's horrible eye-gouging on Luke Fitzgerald has prompted the International Rugby Board to vow to eradicate such "heinous" fouls – will surely rile the visitors and should make for a gripping encounter.
O'Driscoll has been particulary vocal in his condemnation of the gouging, so expect some meaty challenges on the Irish centre in Joburg.
Keep up with the latest business news from the region with the daily Emirates Business 24|7 newsletter. To subscribe to the newsletter, please click here.