SA Rugby on its knees pleading to keep British & Irish Lions tour in SA

SA Rugby president Mark Alexander is a desperate man.

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Desperate to boost the economy by clearing any hurdles in having South Africa host the British & Irish Lions tour later this year.

One such obstacle is the current restrictions on fan attendance at sporting events.

It goes without saying that rugby is not the only sporting federation to have appealed to Sports Minister Nathi Mthethwa to be allowed to have stadiums and venues up their current allowance to 50% of capacity.

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“We’re doing everything in our power to keep the Lions tour in South Africa,” Alexander told Rapport.

“The series will help to get our economy back on track and help the tourism industry overcome some of the negative effects of the pandemic and hopefully avoid any more layoffs in that sector.

“The series would have a R6.6 billion economic impact on the country. All sectors must help to get the economy back on track,” claimed Alexander.

As recently as a fortnight ago it appeared as if the tour was on track to be hosted in the UK and Ireland after the British & Irish Lions board announced that they had received support from the United Kingdom government.

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Soon after, as first reported by The South African, a leaked tour itinerary showed that four British & Irish Lions Tests against the Springboks were scheduled for the tour from 26 June to 7 August.

Alexander’s pleas and ongoing efforts to allow spectators to attend stadiums across South Africa suggests that there is still no final decision on the where the tour will be held – if at all.

The British & Irish Lions tour is due to start in 13 weeks and four days from now.

Tick tock.

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