SA Rugby - The African Mirror

Jul

2021

Lions tour in jeopardy after management member tests COVID-19 positive

MARK GLEESON THE British & Irish Lions tour of South Africa was thrown into jeopardy today when a member of the Lions' tour management tested positive for COVID-19 as infections continue to spread across South African rugby. A statement from the Lions said the individual and four close contacts – including two players and two members of staff – were being isolated and assessed at the team hotel, and that all other members of the touring party had been PCR-tested. If they test positive, then Wednesday's tour match against the Sharks in Johannesburg is likely to be called off. The…

Jun

2021

By The African Mirror

Lions to arrive in South Africa in grip of third wave of COVID-19 infections

SPORT

MARK GLEESON THE touring British and Irish Lions will arrive in South Africa today to a country wracked by a new wave of COVID-19 infections, facing harsher lockdown restrictions and opponents who have reported their first cases of the coronavirus. SA Rugby, however, on Sunday moved to allay fears of any threat to the tour, which already bears no resemblance to the festive atmosphere which has been a hallmark of the four-yearly Lions experience. The first tour to South Africa since 2009 is condemned to being played in empty stadiums, without any spectators never mind the red-clad touring hordes the…

Mar

2021

By The African Mirror

Lions tour set for South Africa as UK option ruled out

SPORT

MITCH PHILLLIPS THE 2021 British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa will go ahead as planned after officials said yesterday that they had dismissed the idea of staging the series in the United Kingdom and were now looking at only one option. A joint statement from the Lions and SA Rugby said they were "aligned" on South Africa as the venue for the tour this year, with contingency plans for a UK-based series or Australia as host ruled out. "After reviewing information relating to the various contingency scenarios being considered, I can confirm that the Board's intended position is…