'Robust plans in place': Springboks make case for return of fans ahead of Lions tour

South Africa rugby chief Mark Alexander believes that proposals being presented to his country’s government next week make “a strong case for a safe and sustainable return of supporters” for the British and Irish Lions tour that is scheduled for July and August, with the highlight of three Tests against the world champion Springboks.

The move by South Africa’s National Olympic Committee is potentially an encouraging development for Lions supporters hoping to travel for the matches in the home of the Sopringboks. “A comprehensive set of guidelines and protocols to get fans back into South African sports venues is going to our government from our National Olympic Committee next week,” SA Rugby president Alexander said.

“We have been heavily involved in the drafting and we believe it makes a strong case for a safe and sustainable return of supporters. Our government’s response is likely to be shaped by the progress of the pandemic, but even if we have to play behind closed doors the tour will go ahead.

“We have robust plans in place, shaped from the benefit of a year of lessons from bio-secure environments around the world. There is no reason to doubt the tour taking place.”

The Lions are due to play the Springboks in Tests in Johannesburg and Cape Town. There are also tour games in Port Elizabeth, Durban, Pretoria and Nelspruit.