SA Rugby and the British & Irish Lions have confirmed that they are aligned on delivering the Castle Lager Lions Series in South Africa in the scheduled playing window in July and August.
The Lions Board confirmed its preference to SA Rugby on Monday evening, prior to follow-up meetings the next day.
Mark Alexander, President of the South African Rugby Union, said he would inform the Executive Council of SA Rugby of the alignment.
“There are serious financial implications for SA Rugby, should the event take place without any supporters in attendance, and we cannot ignore that in our considerations. But we are determined that the eventual outcome will deliver the best occasion and experience for players, supporters and our commercial partners,” he said.
Alexander added that the original tour schedule was subject to review because of those considerations. “We have been in regular contact with our government to make that a reality against the backdrop of the pandemic and its predicted progression over the coming months."
SA Rugby assured everyone who had purchased tickets through the ticket ballot or as part of the official hospitality programme that they would be entitled to a full refund, with the mechanic to be communicated in due course once any revised schedule was confirmed.
The original 8-match Tour included two test matches in Johannesburg on 24 July and 7 August either side of the 2nd Test in Cape Town on the 31st of July.
The Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium had been earmarked to host the British and Irish Lions against an SA Invitational side on Wednesday the 7th of July.
issued by SA Rugby
