“Oh the places you’ll go! There is fun to be done! There are points to be scored. There are games to be won. And the magical things you can do with that ball will make you the winning-est winner of all.” Dr Seuss
The British and Irish Lions Series rotationally shared between the three southern hemisphere rugby nations is arguably bigger than a World Cup, essentially three World Cup cycles in exchange for one Lions tour.
Recently Springbok flank Pieter-Steph Du Toit agreed as much when asked that very question of which held more weight for him personally.
Some may argue Du Toit would obviously say that as he already has a Rugby World Cup winners medal locked away in his cabinet, regardless he’ll be at the next World Cup but he will only play the Lions once.
Upon reflection, it is fairly obvious to see why though, as a player you may get at least two opportunities to participate at a World Cup during your playing career.
Whereas a Lions Series is fundamentally more down to timing and what year you are born in to be eligible to partake for your country’s respective timeline of hosting the Lions, it is a once-in-a-generation opportunity.
Dan Biggar (Photo By Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
It is finally South Africa’s turn to take on the very best of the home nations later this year, a Lions series is also unique and historic from any other tournament due to the finality of the result.
What I mean by this is the result of that series will live with the players and coaches forever and to an extent – the fans, for players and staff though, there is no next time.
There is no next World Cup cycle to prepare for, or striving toward another opportunity in a few years’ time to ‘rectify’ the result, for us in the southern hemisphere you get one chance at immortality because they’ll only be back in 12 years’ time.
The advent of Covid 19 has turned the world upside down and inside out, the ‘new normal’ is here to stay and the sporting world has felt the brunt of it like so many other sectors of our society.
Obviously, in today’s climate, there are far more pressing matters that should be at the forefront of our concern and addressed than a Lions tour, however sport has and always will have the ability to bring people together from all walks of life under a common understanding.
Thus, it is important in the context of the world we now live in that our sporting traditions are able to adapt and transform to the rapidly changing times, just as we as a society have had to adapt.
The uproar (excuse the pun) of the Lions series being played outside of South Africa’s shores has been met with derision and a pig-headed stubbornness in some quarters, as some critics feel it is a breaking of the longstanding traditions of a Lions tour (the only traditional tour left in rugby).
Technically, the critics are correct regarding the traditional undertakings of the tour and how they can’t be met. However as we know all too bluntly, we are not living in what we now reflect on as halcyon days from the world we once knew.
During these unprecedented times surely we need to be far more flexible and understanding in our approach, an exception to the rule can be made under these distressing times.
I see nothing wrong in the Springboks having to play the Lions at four of the home union’s stadiums in the United Kingdom as is being currently touted by the Lions board.
It’s a once-off if it goes ahead, at least we as fans would be able to watch the series, Test match players will get their chance at immortality, we saw in Super Rugby when the Sharks played the Crusaders in 2011 at Twickenham, and what an occasion that proved to be.
Yes, this current series goes against the traditional tour, yes provincial/club players will miss out on midweek games, yes it won’t bring the immense revenue usually associated with a Lions tour, for once tradition needs to take a back seat for the benefit of the game.
But we all know the quality that both of these teams will bring to a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, especially after the World Cup final in 2019, and to be victorious in such incredible circumstances would live forever in the annals and folklore of the Springboks and Lions tours.
As Dr Seuss so famously says ‘Oh the places you’ll go” and whether it be in the United Kingdom, Australia, or the moon, we as fans and I have no doubt the respective teams just want to see the series played.
We’ve waited long enough.
Kent Dorfman
Roar Rookie
yeah but that's 30,000 rugby supporters - & what do rugby supporters do? drink - a sh!tload so she's a massive bonus to the local boozers & breweries too
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
For what it's worth assuming the tour does not take place in SA for health reasons, then why did the organizers not take up Australia's offer to host... But the UK? How logical is that.?
SARS and MERS were not solved by mass vaccination Fiwi so no similarities there…..name me one successful Vaccine that took 9 mths from start of development to roll out to the public? The Polio vaccine as an EG took 10 years and many many studies…..Cigarettes took 30 years to find it harmful…Dr’s in the 50s and 60s were prescribing smokes to new mothers to reduce stress and to help with weight loss…And it helped with both, just had many nasty longterm effects that didnt come to view until many years down the track
fiwiboy7042
Roar Rookie
No-one said this would be any quicker, Jacko, but work was already been done on corona virus vaccines before Covid-19 came along. SARS and MERS were also corona viruses and their outbreaks were eventually dealt with.
What Aus and NZ already have? I think having lots of people sufferring blood clots so early in the roll out is of major concern...What happens in 6 mths? 12 mths? 5 years? Ive seen many vaccines developed Fiwi and not one has been done in 9 mths and been successful.....Just think of how long it takes for cigarettes to kill!!!
fiwiboy7042
Roar Rookie
Consider the alternative ...
Did you see where 3 scandinavian countries have stoppped giving the vaccine due to an increase in blood clots for those who had the vaccination Fiwi? not sure we should be forced to have a vaccine thats untested to the lenths usually required...
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
:stoked: :stoked: actually over the years I've also been called Just Nonsense.. :laughing:
P2R2
Roar Rookie
cancelled...
P2R2
Roar Rookie
Cancel it...
woodart
Guest
great reply just nuisance. perhaps you should change your username to just common sense.
woodart
Guest
"we've waited long enough". get off your high horse. Im sure that in the past, people have had to wait longer for really truly important things like a sporting tour, but hey, in todays world of entitled instant gratification, "WE've waited long enough" so you want to swap one country in lockdown for four countries in lockdown?
fiwiboy7042
Roar Rookie
More food for thought: Read about the nipah virus yet? Perhaps vaccinations need to be made mandatory.
fiwiboy7042
Roar Rookie
So two RSA teams would go over?
Tutema
Roar Rookie
Another argument to support the B Isles idea is that the top SA teams are currently playing there (in the rainbow cup), so even logistically it makes sense l, since most players are there a lot of the time.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
I agree.. But unfortunately we cannot debate why the Lions tour should Or should not go ahead and where without examining the background that got us here.. But you are right and hopefully in a few months time this will not be of such relevance. As us Saffas know more than most, it’s hard to just have a sporting conversation in isolation with other events swirling around..
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Thanks for your exhaustive reply JN. This is not the forum to discuss health and politics, and the strange stew that they did brew for the past year. I don’t want to hijack the thread with red herrings but to follow conscience I have to say that I don’t share your faith in: – WHO statistics and directives, – Government COVID statistics, – the benevolence of pharmaceutical companies, and especially their accelerated experimental treatment. With respect, agreeing to disagree and hoping we can get back to the rugby.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
In a perfect World yes..We obviously live in anything but.. Vaccinations will not be compulsory in South Africa as it is not mandatory in many other parts of the World either.. Many have already elected not to take it.. Mistrust and all that stuff.. But even if Covid were eradicated which it probably won’t ever completely be, Malaria is still going to kill 2 million people globally in the next 12 months, mostly children, as it does every year.. Tuberculosis even more.. That’s not going to end.. Oh and obesity especially in Westernized affluent countries will be the biggest health hazard of the lot…..prematurely ending more lives than all viral diseases combined.. food for thought..
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Sure Ken.. Official WHO stats.. UK with 66 million people have 4, 25 mil infections and 125 000 deaths. That’s 1 death per every 528 people…. SA with 60 million population has 1,6 million infections and 51015 deaths.. That’s 1 death per every 1176 people.. That makes you almost twice as likely to die. From Covid in the UK as in SA statistically.. I added in without vaccination because obviously that is expected to dramatically effect the numbers both countries…. I brought in organized tours because it’s fairly well known that the worst affected areas in SA are the overpopulated informal settlements etc.. Those who through circumstance cannot social distance, sanitize Etc…. On organized tours they don’t get near those areas.. Generally in the more affluent parts of SA, there was a remarkable adherence to safety protocols mapped out by govt.. Those are where the tourists will be.. And according to my model must already be vaccinated prior to touring.. Do you know, I have not known a single person in my circles who has even had the virus let alone succumbed to it.. There is also a perception out there that SA is not vaccinating.. That’s just untrue..we lag behind some but are ahead of others.. There has been a recent tremendous collaboration between govt, civil society and the international community to get vaccines here.. The infrastructure is available thanks to the World’s most comprehensive HIV management system with a local clinic available within walking distance for most South Africans.. There are literally thousands of mobile clinics available too. .. South Africans will be vaccinated….it’s happening already and gaining momentum. A mischievous question if I may… If this was a tour to the United States, the worst hit country on earth.. Do you think there will be talk of canceling or rescheduling.? . I doubt it.
CPM
Roar Rookie
It’s the Lions dirt trackers vs the SA A team for the 4 mid week matches, so not the Sharks, not the Bull and not the Stormers anymore. It is 50 Lions players vs 50 Boks (SA A) players over 4 weeks widow confirmed with clubs for player release already.