Wales and Lions captain Jones led Warren Gatland’s team in all three Tests with the last going the way of the Springboks by just three points.
Morne Steyn’s late, late penalty won it for South Africa 19-16 and left the Lions and Jones gutted they had not come out on top.
“I probably got a bit emotional after the game on two counts,” Jones said.
“One, a Lions tour is very special and particularly over the last 18 months or two years, it’s faced jeopardy from the global situation.
“Even to be out here has probably meant more to a lot of people.
“We spoke in the Autumn Nations Cup and Six Nations about going through the lockdown and being able to partake in our sport.
“And we’ve been able to do this in South Africa which is obviously facing its own Covid struggles.
“To be out here and be part of this means it’s been a very different but special tour.
“To fall short hurts more than if it was a bigger loss. We fully understand the significance of this tour, particularly as it’s four years until the next one and 12 until we come back to South Africa.”
Alun Wyn Jones and Maro Itoje embrace at the end of the British & Irish Lions’ Test series with South Africa. Credit: INPHO
To fall short hurts more than if it was a bigger loss. We fully understand the significance of this tour, particularly as it’s four years until the next one and 12 until we come back to South Africa.
Gatland’s Lions were well positioned to win their first series on South African soil since 1997 at half time in the deciding Test.
They led 10-6 thanks to Ken Owens’ first-half try.
But the world champions hit back through Cheslin Kolbe’s score before Steyn and Finn Russell traded penalties to leave the scores tied going into the closing minutes.
Steyn then stepped up to deliver the decisive blow with two minutes to play – just as he had done in 2009 – as the Springboks made it back-to-back series wins over the Lions.
Jones equalled Graham Price’s record of playing in 12 consecutive British & Irish Lions Test matches, but his team fell just short.
He added: “I remember watching Neil Jenkins in 1997 so to being involved with him with Wales and to be out here with him is really special.
“I probably can’t put it into words so I’m not going to try.
“You’ll probably get me going. I’ve already had a bit of stick for being over emotional, but I don’t care if people think I’m over emotional because that’s what it means to me.”
Alun Wyn Jones and Ken Owens of the British & Irish Lions
I’ve already had a bit of stick for being over emotional, but I don’t care if people think I’m over emotional because that’s what it means to me
Wrapping up the Lions tour, Jones added: “We’re obviously disappointed with the final result but proud of the performance in a lot of areas considering what was said after the second Test.
“The two big ones (in the third Test) were the maul in the similar position we scored the first one and I think Josh (Adams) was in had the ball gone.
“But that’s all hindsight and we were still in it to the death.
“You get into the latter stages of those games, start trading the threes, and the game breaks up because of the penalties. It’s hard to gain control.
“I thought we weathered the storm early in the second half and got into the arm wrestle which we were in for nigh on 79 minutes. Credit to South Africa, they won the game.
“We had our opportunities, particularly in the first half. I’m never going to put this jersey on again, I’m never going to have that chance again, but credit to South Africa.
“I made a point to the guys when we came together on the pitch after the game and said whoever is on the next one, make sure you go as hard as hell as it’s a privilege to be involved in.
“It’s a big element of rugby that gives a lot of people across the globe something to look forward to.
“It’s up there with all those international competitions and World Cups – it’s very special.”
The Lions is a big element of rugby that gives a lot of people across the globe something to look forward to. It’s up there with all those international competitions and World Cups – it’s very special.
