SA Rugby's 'robust plan' to open stadiums for Lions tour

SPOTLIGHT: South Africa Rugby president Mark Alexander believes they have a strong case for the “safe return of supporters” when they present new proposals to the government next week.

The British and Irish Lions are scheduled to face the World Champions the Springboks in July and August in a three-Test series in South Africa.

Given the ongoing Covid-19 crisis and issues over mass vaccination in South Africa, it seems it would be nearly impossible for the Lions’ supporters to make the trip with the combined team.

However, it has been reported that South Africa’s National Olympic Committee has drawn up a set of proposals aimed at getting fans back into the stadiums.

The committee will deliver their proposals to the government next week and is hopeful the new strategy will persuade authorities to give the go-ahead for spectators to attend the games.

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“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.

He added: “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.

Source: PA & Mirror