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New Lions documentary now available on RPTV

By Jon Newcombe
Bundee Aki on the charge during the 2021 British & Irish Lions tour of South Africa. Photo: Inpho Photography

Following the British and Irish Lions jersey launch on Wednesday, excitement is starting to mount for next year's tour of Australia, so there is no better time to reflect on the last tour with a fascinating new release on RugbyPass TV.

The ground-breaking documentary, Two Sides, chronicles the events on the 2021 British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa, and is now available to watch for free, along with other great content on the online streaming platform.

Fans may not have been allowed inside the stadiums to see the reigning world champions and the best of the Home Unions go toe-to-toe in person, but viewers will feel like they were almost there given the no-holds-barred footage.

The three-part documentary gives an insiders’ view to a sometimes chaotic series that had its challenges off the pitch, just to make sure it even took place because of the global Covid-19 pandemic, as well as the usual on-field blood, sweat and tears.

With cameras inside both camps, Two Sides delivers double the drama, it's as if you’re living with the Springboks as well as living with the Lions. And, as we all know, there was no shortage of talking points as the hosts came from behind to win the series 2-1.

From the increasingly fractured relationship between Rassie Erasmus and Warren Gatland to Siyi Kolisi accusing referee Nic Berry of disrespect, and much more, everything is covered.

Covid-19 gave the 2021 series a very different backdrop but if anything the camaraderie between the players was even tighter than normal, with restrictions on movement prolonging the time squads spent together. Occasionally, though, this leads to pressure-valve moments, which are all captured on camera by filmmakers who are kings of their craft.

Fittingly for a tour like no other, this documentary stands apart from the rest in telling both sides of the story. So whether you’re a Boks supporter or a member of the Lions’ ‘Sea of Red’, Two Sides has something for everyone.

Watch all episodes of Two Sides for FREE on RugbyPass TV here.