BOKS IN PLEA TO PLAY LIONS
Springboks reveal they’d sacrifice home advantage to play in UK this summer
THE South Africans will do anything to play the British & Irish Lions, even if it means sacrificing a home series to turn out in the UK and Ireland this summer.
As coronavirus wreaks havoc with preparations for the marquee rugby event in the calendar, the Lions and Springboks are locked in talks over moving or delaying the tour.
Sportsmail understands that a decision is due before the end of the month — and yesterday, South Africa’s World Cupwinning coach Rassie Erasmus (below) spelled out how keen the Boks are for the series to happen wherever and whenever.
‘We desperately want to play the Lions, and we will do anything to play them,’ said the director of rugby of the Springboks, who have not played at all since beating England in the 2019 World Cup final.
‘This series only comes around every 12 years. I’ve heard the different calls and opinions about the tour, and, although we didn’t play in the Rugby Championship because of player welfare, it was also because we knew there was this big series in 2021. If option one of playing in South Africa doesn’t work out, we will go to option Z to make it happen.
‘We don’t want to lose the Lions series. We feel we deserve to play against them.
‘I want to, (head coach) Jacques Nienaber wants to, the players want to, so from our side we’ll do anything. ‘We will explore any option to play the Lions. We will play next year, we will play over there. This is the view from a player and management perspective.’
As Sportsmail has reported, while the Lions have not made a final decision, it is becoming increasingly likely that the series will be staged on home soil for the first time this summer. Keen to consider all the latest Covid data, the outcome may well be known before the Six Nations.
It has been suggested that the Three-Test series would be played in England, Wales and Ireland, but no mention has been made of a Test taking place in Scotland. Murrayfield has been earmarked for a match between the Lions and Japan on June 26, which would serve as a warm-up match before Warren Gatland’s side head for South Africa.
It is also thought the Lions could still play South African club sides if the Springboks come to the UK, with Villa Park and Newcastle United’s St James’ Park cited as possible venues.
Meanwhile, the SRU have confirmed that Scotland’s opening home game of the championships against Wales will be played behind closed doors at Murrayfield.
Gregor Townsend’s team’s opening game against England at Twickenham on February 6 will also be played with no fans in attendance.
Scottish Rugby had hoped for a gradual return of limited numbers for their three home matches.
But current government guidance rules that out for the February 13 visit of the Welsh.
‘Access to home matches vs Ireland & Italy respectively are under current review,’ tweeted the SRU yesterday.
The Scots are due to play in France on February 28 before Ireland visit on March 14 and Italy on March 20.
Scottish Rugby said the announcement over tickets for the game against Wales was ‘to comply with current Scottish government public health guidance on Covid-19’.
The SRU said they had informed all those who had applied for a ticket ballot and that no payments had yet been collected.