‘STADIUMS EMPTY FOR LIONS TOUR’

LIVING THE BREAM Jack Willis goes fishing with his dad when he’s not doing his physical rehab yesterday they would be eligible for a full refund. SA Rugby chief executive Jurie Roux admitted it would now be a very different series to the one originally planned.

But he insisted: “We believe we have arrived at a schedule that minimises the risks associated with the pandemic and we’re ready to deliver the series.”

The announcement came with a revised schedule which sees all eight matches played in just two regions, Gauteng and Cape Town, to “minimise” the risks of disruption that could be caused by Covid.

A report by the South African Medical Research Council claims that more than 133,000 people have died in the country from coronavirus – compared to the official tally of nearly 55,000. New infections have climbed 46 percent in the past week.

“We are hopeful that restrictions on attendance at sports events will be relaxed,” added Roux.

“But, for the moment, we are planning for an event behind closed doors.

“If that requirement changes, we’ll assess the options available and make the necessary decisions based on the restrictions in place.”

LIONS CONFIRMED ITINERARY

Sat, July 3: Emirates Lions v British & Irish Lions (Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg) KO 5pm Wed, July 7: Cell C Sharks v British & Irish Lions (Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg) KO 7pm Sat, July 10: Vodacom Bulls v British & Irish Lions (Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria) KO 5pm

Wed, July 14: South Africa ‘A’ v British & Irish Lions (Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town) KO 7pm Sat, July 17: DHL Stormers v British & Irish Lions (Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town) KO 5pm

Sat, July 24: Springboks v British & Irish Lions (1st Test, Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town) KO 5pm Sat, July 31: Springboks v British & Irish Lions (2nd Test, FNB Stadium (above), Jo’burg) KO 5pm Sat Aug 7: Springboks v British & Irish Lions (3rd Test, FNB Stadium, Johannesburg) KO 5pm