The Lions can roar... in South Africa

THE British & Irish Lions are to tour South Africa this summer as originally planned, it has been confirmed.

After months of debate and various alternative contingency plans being put forward due to the Covid19 pandemic, a decision has finally been reached.

And it sees the Lions going back to Plan A, with a tour of South Africa in the scheduled playing window this July and August.

The Lions board confirmed its preference to SA Rugby on Monday evening, prior to follow-up meetings yesterday.

Lions chairman Jason Leonard said: “We acknowledge there is a significant amount of work still to be undertaken to deliver a robust Covid-19 countermeasure plan to ensure a successful, safe and uninterrupted tour. SA Rugby will have our full support to help implement this plan.”

Mark Alexander, president of SA Rugby, said: “We appreciate the Lions’ faith and share their desire to see a safe and successful tour.

“There are serious financial implications for SA Rugby should the event take place without any supporters in attendance, but we are determined that the eventual outcome will deliver the best occasion and experience for players, supporters and our commercial partners.”

Alexander said the original tour schedule is subject to review.

The initial plan was for an eightmatch trip, taking in three Tests against the world champion Springboks.

It was to run from July 3 to August 7, with fixtures in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Pretoria, Durban, Port Elizabeth and Mbombela.

But the Covid-19 pandemic cast huge doubt over those plans.

Various alternatives have been suggested, including moving the tour to Australia or staging it in the UK, while many have called for it to be put back a year. But the plan is now to go ahead in South Africa.

It is not yet known whether international or cross-border travel for supporters will be possible into the country in July.

Supporters who have purchased ticket-inclusive packages through Lions Rugby Travel will be notified via email with information on the options available.

It also remains unclear whether spectators in stadia will be permitted. In the event that spectators are not allowed, supporters who have purchased Test match tickets via the Lions ticket ballot will be refunded.

The British & Irish Lions Test match against Japan at Murrayfield on Saturday, June 26, for the Vodafone Lions 1888 Cup will continue as scheduled. However, a decision on crowd size will be made nearer the time.