Springboks will explore all options to play Lions – Erasmus

RASSIE ERASMUS says the Springboks will explore every option to play the Lions series this summer, even if it means facing the best of Britain and Ireland away from home.

South Africa’s director of rugby revealed that he recently contracted the coronavirus and is still struggling with some symptoms of the virus.

His successor as national team coach, Jacques Nienaber, has yet to have a match in charge after the Boks pulled out of the Rugby Championship.

With the vaccination rollout in South Africa yet to get fully under way, and with case numbers rising, it is increasingly difficult to see the tour happening as planned.

The Lions board met on Friday to discuss options, with the most viable at this stage a series with matches held in England, Wales and Ireland.

“We desperately want to play the Lions and we will do anything to play them,” Erasmus said.

Opinions

“This series only comes around every 12 years. I have 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, Jacques (Nienaber) wants to, the players want to, so from our side we’ll do anything.”

Meanwhile, Erasmus also conceded that the Rainbow Cup is under threat from the growing case numbers across the world.

The tournament, which features the existing PRO14 teams and the four top South African franchises, is scheduled to kick off in April, but is now in major doubt due to the restrictions on travel.