Australia offers to host Springboks v British & Irish Lions tour

Australia has offered to stage this year’s British & Irish Lions tour of South Africa which is under threat because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

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The British & Irish Lions are scheduled to play eight matches in South Africa, including a three-Test series against the world champion Springboks, starting on July 3 in Cape Town.

Both Great Britain and South Africa are still firmly in the grip of the virus.

British & Irish Lions officials are scheduled to decide shortly whether to proceed with the tour or look at other options.

Australia has been relatively successful in containing the pandemic and in November and December last year staged the Rugby Championship – which was renamed the Tri-Nations after the Springboks elected to withdraw.

“I spoke to Jurie Roux, the CEO of South African Rugby, a few weeks ago and offered to host the tournament here, considering how dire the Covid situation is in the UK and South Africa,” Rugby Australia chairperson Hamish McLennan told Reuters.

“We learned through the Tri-Nations (that) our government can bring high-performance athletes into the country and safely quarantine them.

“They may choose to go somewhere else, but the offer is there.”

Rugby Australia would expect to cover costs, but beyond that any profits would go to South Africa Rugby and the British & Irish Lions.

“We’re not doing this to make money,” McLennan added.

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Despite the kind offer, it would appear highly unlikely the series will be played Down Under. Flying the required South African franchise players to Australia for five matches plus three Tests and accommodating them would come at an astronomical cost.

And that’s just the South Africans.

The British & Irish Lions with their massive contingent of players and support staff would also need to be catered for.

The British & Irish Lions last toured Australia in 2013, winning a thrilling Test series 2-1 in front of sellout crowds, and are scheduled to return in 2025.