The British and Irish Lions’ match schedule for their rugby tour of South Africa has been changed to mitigate the risks posed by the coronavirus pandemic, while there will almost certainly be no fans at any of the games.
The announcement on Friday gave final confirmation that the tour will go ahead in July and August with the Lions playing eight games, including three Tests against the reigning world champion Springboks.
But seven of the eight games will now be in either Johannesburg or Cape Town, with the other in the capital, Pretoria. That means the Lions will not travel to Durban, Port Elizabeth or Nelspruit, as originally planned for the tour.
(Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
SA Rugby chief executive Jurie Roux said they were hopeful that the South African government might relax some restrictions on fans being allowed back into sports stadiums by July “but, for the moment, we are planning for an event behind closed doors.”
The Lions regularly take tens of thousands of their supporters with them on their once-every-four-years tours to South Africa, New Zealand and Australia. Their fans’ presence is a key part of the spirit of the tour, but the pandemic has likely meant that can’t happen this time.
“While things will undoubtedly look different to a typical Lions tour, together with SA Rugby we are determined to deliver an uninterrupted series for the players who will take the field, as well as the many millions of people watching at home,” British and Irish Lions managing director Ben Calveley said.
“We would like to thank all Lions supporters for their patience and understanding as we continue to navigate our way through the impact of the pandemic.”
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
I’m not the only UK and Ire rugby fan hoping for a conclusive win for SA to put the whole sorry spectacle out of its misery. You and who else? Your Mom?
ABs played 1 warm-up v Samoa...78-0 I read NZ turned down SA wanting to play them in a warmup game in Dubai.... Yes confirmation in Covid times is hard to get...
Paul
Roar Guru
not sure about 2017 but I gather the Boks are looking at 2 or maybe 3 games against Georgia, though nothing seems confirmed.
Ive heard more crowd noise with no crowds than when its a full house.... It has me questioning many things about TV coverage and reality...
Thats the Boks choice...No one stopped them from playing at least 6 tests last year
Paul can you remember how many tests NZ had in 2017 to "warm up" for the Lion series? SA seem to be trying to have 3 or 4...
CPM
Roar Rookie
How is this breaking news when this revised schedule was released weeks ago
Homer Gain
Guest
Dead right. If there ever any doubt that the Lions has become a corporate circus, the flogging of this particular dead horse puts those doubts to rest. The only people benefitting from this charade are a handful of LIons "executives" and Sky TV. I'm not the only UK and Ire rugby fan hoping for a conclusive win for SA to put the whole sorry spectacle out of its misery.
pm
Roar Rookie
Would make a lot of sense. or they could split it with Oz where they’ll get crowds too. Give say 50% of profits to SA for covid relief. They’d never let them do it, but it would make sense.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
There will be fans.. Millions of them actually.. Just not in the stadium.. I recall watching Formula 1 when fans were prohibited.. It Felt wierd at first but soon enough the intensity of the contest kicked in and I got used to it quickly enough.. I’ll be watching with my mates in the pub.. Well make our own noise.. Guaranteed.
Tycoch22
Roar Rookie
Tourists/Lions won't be massively underdone as just finished a very competitive 6N. Also playing Japan efore they leave UK. Boks on other hand have not played since RWC
Tycoch22
Roar Rookie
Seems absurd to go ahead with the tour
Paul
Roar Guru
Seriously? No idea how you came up with this conspiracy theory The Lions are playing 8 games, only they're not playing at multiple venues. If anything that should help the Lions because they won't have to travel as much. I'm also not sure how the Lions will be underdone but the Springboks won't if they're both preparing for the series in South Africa?
If the Lions dont get 500 mins on tour before the first test they should withdraw....SAR would and did last year...
BackInBlack
Guest
Probably because in New Zealand they’d be given a heck of a lot of preparation against full strength provincial sides, ensuring the chance to play their best rugby. In South Africa the hosts will use COVID as an excuse to ensure the tourists are massively underdone by kick-off. World Champions indeed.
Will it even go ahead. I guess the Lions have until early July to pull out if they feel the need to. 2 weeks notice is all thats required for SAR...
Jokerman
Roar Guru
Why don’t they come to New Zealand?!
KiwiHaydn
Roar Rookie
Wow, things are looking bleak for this tour.