Reports in England suggest that support for staging the British & Irish Lions tour in the United Kingdom and Ireland is growing in South Africa.
According to a report in the Telegraph, SA Rugby director of rugby Rassie Erasmus has told franchise coaches that moving the Lions tour to the UK and Ireland remains the most financially appealing option available at this point.
The report goes on to state that it is now likely that the Springboks will bring an A team to play in the midweek games, rather than the four South African franchises.
This comes after the UK government announced on Monday its proposed roadmap for easing of Covid-19 restrictions. It’s expected that all restrictions will be lifted on 21 June, including those prohibiting the attendance of sporting events.
The Lions board has yet to reach full consensus, but has approached the government for financial guarantees which, if obtained, would pave the way for the tour to be hosted in the UK and Ireland.
As a further money-maker, the Lions are considering adding a Test against the Springboks. A final decision about the tour is expected next month.
Stormers coach John Dobson told the Telegraph he is resigned to the fact that South Africa is unlikely to host the Lions tour.
‘Rassie Erasmus told us that SA Rugby could make a lot more in the UK than we could here and that was before the announcement,’ Dobson said. ‘We are on our knees financially. We have spent a lot of advance Lions money to bail out unions over this period.
‘I have got some players who are hanging on for the Lions series, but they may not get the chance. From what Rassie said, it does not sound that feasible. It is clear that midweek games would be difficult to stage, so the South Africa A team, effectively our reserves, would be based in the UK and play the midweek games.’
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