Lions tour is all about fans – we need them
HOSTS DESPERATE TO HAVE CROWDS
LIONS bosses hope a package of safety measures about to be submitted to the South African Government will allow fans to attend the tour.
It was assumed the Covid-19 pandemic would make it impossible for the Lions’ 30,000 army of supporters to follow the tour, scheduled to run from July 3-August 7. But South Africa’s National Olympic Committee have drawn up proposals aimed at getting fans back into stadiums. These will go to the Government next week and SA Rugby president Mark Alexander hopes they are sufficient to persuade the authorities to give the green light to spectators. Alexander said: “We have been involved in the drafting and believe it makes a strong case for a safe return of supporters.”
Springbok legend Joel Stransky, below, welcomed the NOC’s efforts, saying: “A Lions tour is all about the travelling fans.
“It’s about tourism, hotels, restaurants, beer, bars and fun. It’s about game parks and wine farms. It’s a complete life experience.
“I understand why fans might not be allowed, but the reality is it would be a very strange tour without them – and it would be desperately sad.”
Alexander accepts the Government’s response is “likely to be shaped by the progress of the pandemic” but says there is no threat to the games taking place.
A week ago he spoke of “serious financial implications” for SA Rugby should the eight-match tour have to be played behind closed doors.
Alexander also warned that “we cannot ignore that in our considerations”. But last night he insisted that, come what may, the show will go on.
“Even if we have to play behind closed doors, the tour will go ahead,” he said.
“There is no reason to doubt that the tour will take place. We have robust plans in place shaped from the benefit of a year of lessons from bio-secure environments around the world.”
The Springboks, meanwhile, are hatching plans to get themselves battle-ready, having not played a Test since beating England to win the 2019World Cup. Players will be released from the national squad to play in the Pro 14 Rainbow Cup, which runs between April and June.
During that event the squad could be based in Jersey or on the UK mainland.