Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth will be the second stop for the British and Irish Lions when they tour South Africa in 18 month's time. .
SA Rugby on Wednesday announced the eight venues that will host the visitors who last toured here 12 years ago.
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium will host the British and Irish Lions against an SA Invitational side on the 7th of July 2021, four days after their tour-opener against the DHL Stormers at Newlands.
Three tests matches against the Springboks will be played at FNB Stadium, Cape Town Stadium and then concluding at Emirates Airline Park.
Rassie Erasmus, SA Director of Rugby, said the keenly awaited tour was a once-in-a-lifetime playing opportunity for South African players. "There are players who have been to three Rugby World Cups and finished their careers with a winner's medal and yet never got to play against the Lions. They only come around every 12 years for our players and only a few of them ever have the privilege of wearing the Springbok jersey in a Lions series."
Erasmus added that the Lions will operate like a well-oiled machine and the South African players will have to work very hard to match them in every department, on and off the field.
British & Irish Lions head coach Warren Gatland said he's delighted with an itinerary he believes will allow his side to be perfectly prepared for the three Test matches which complete the Tour. "I am absolutely thrilled with how this schedule looks," said Gatland, whose Lions beat Australia in 2013 and drew the series with New Zealand in 2017.
"Touring South Africa is always a huge challenge, not only from a rugby perspective, but also in terms of the venues and the conditions facing the players. We are very much looking forward to touring this wonderful country."
Full 2021 tour schedule:
Saturday 3 July: British & Irish Lions v DHL Stormers - Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town
Wednesday 7 July: British & Irish Lions v SA 'Invitational' - Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth
Saturday 10 July: British & Irish Lions v Cell C Sharks - Jonsson Kings Park, Durban
Wednesday 14 July: British & Irish Lions v South Africa 'A' - Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit
Saturday 17 July: British & Irish Lions v Vodacom Bulls - Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Saturday 24 July (first Test): Springboks v British & Irish Lions - FNB Stadium, Johannesburg
Saturday 31 July (second Test): Springboks v British & Irish Lions - Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town
Saturday 7 August (third Test): Springboks v British & Irish Lions - Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg
