This year the British and Irish Lions are heading on tour. For the first time in 12 years, they’ll visit South Africa, which is home to the 2019 Rugby World Cup winners, the Springboks. A highlight of the rugby calendar, the series will see the world’s finest players take to the field and represent their countries.
Read on to discover even more about the British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa in 2021. On this page, you’ll find all the information you need to know about the tour, including the upcoming fixtures and latest results.
There’ll be a lot of people glad to see the back of 2021 but rugby has survived, improved as a spectacle and shown there’s much to look forward to in the New Year.
SA Rugby would have had to close its doors if were not for the British & Irish Lions tour last year.
The British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa will begin on 3 July and will run until 7 August. However, prior to arriving in South Africa, the Lions will also play a game against Japan in Edinburgh.
Then, after arriving in South Africa, they’ll play five games against several top South African sides. These are the four former Super Rugby franchises (the Lions, Bulls, Sharks and Stormers) and South Africa A.
Following this, the tour will conclude with the highly anticipated Test matches. The first of these will be played in Cape Town on 24 July. The final two will then both be played in Johannesburg on 31 July and 7 August respectively.
For the 2021 British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa, head coach Warren Gatland has selected 37 players. Of these, 11 players represent England, 10 represent Wales, 8 represent Scotland and 8 represent Ireland.
On his fourth tour with the British and Irish Lions, Alun Wyn Jones will captain a side that will feature some of the world’s great players, such as Owen Farrell, Taulupe Faletau and Conor Murray.
However, a star-studded British and Irish Lions team will have their work cut out against the current world champions, as the South Africa side they face will likely include stars like Eben Etzebeth, François Steyn and Faf de Klerk.
British & Irish Lions 
Bulls 
Japan 
Lions 
Sharks 
South Africa 
South Africa A 
Stormers 