The British and Irish Lions' tour of South Africa is set to proceed as originally planned, following a dramatic reversal of earlier decisions to move the fixtures to the UK and Ireland. The tour will include three Test matches against the world champion Springboks, as well as five other games, with the squad arriving in late June.
The decision came after the Lions' proposal to hold the tour in the UK was rejected by the British government, which declined to underwrite the event financially. Sponsors and broadcasters, including Sky Sports and Vodafone, played a key role in the negotiations, favouring a traditional tour in South Africa.
It remains unclear whether spectators will be allowed to attend matches. The best-case scenario would see a limited number of local fans permitted, but British and Irish supporters are unlikely to be able to travel. The Lions are expected to offer fans the option to cancel their travel plans for a full refund, or proceed at their own risk.
The tour will operate under strict COVID-secure protocols, with players living in a bubble environment. The financial viability of the tour without crowds remains uncertain, but South African authorities have reportedly secured a support package from their government to mitigate losses.
