Lions tour to South Africa plunged into question as new Covid variants drive talks more than series’ viability

“As you would hope, we are progressing with our designs dependent on the most recent data offered to us,” Calveley explained.

“However, offered the uncertainty that carries on to be caused by the coronavirus pandemic each in South Africa, as perfectly as the United kingdom and Ireland, we are quite informed of the require to make a well timed determination on the very best way forward not minimum so that we can give clarity to supporters booked to journey to South Africa future summer, or these wondering of building the vacation.

“To day, the Lions Board has experienced repeated conferences to focus on all eventualities readily available and is in continual dialogue. It will meet up with all over January and into February, if essential, to overview all applicable information and facts and facts. After even more consultation with SA Rugby, we will update on the final result of these meetings in thanks program.

“In the meantime, we continue on typical dialogue with our partners in the United kingdom, Eire and South Africa, which include the British Large Commission in Pretoria, the Irish Embassy and a variety of govt departments, to ascertain as a lot info as doable on this speedy-evolving, complex scenario.”

In September last yr, South Africa Rugby main executive Jurie Roux raised uncertainties about the feasibility of a Lions tour having location with no followers.

“There has been some talk of relocating it out [to a new date], but our vacation guidance is that by June/July, we ought to be at what is considered to be typical global vacation,” Roux stated.

“No spectators and folks not being capable to vacation would not make this commercially viable and then we would talk about how we continue with the tour.”

The Lions will begin their tour on July 3 towards DHL Stormers, right before fixtures versus SA Invitation XV, Mobile C Sharks, South Africa A and Vodacom Bulls. They then face the environment champions in 3 back-to-again Exams on July 24, July 31, and Aug 7.