REVEALED: The number of South Africans in British & Irish Lions tour squad

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: British and Irish Lions head coach Andy Farrell has named his 38-player squad and captain for their upcoming tour to Australia.

England captain Maro Itoje has been handed the captain’s armband for the 2025 tour.

Itoje was the youngest player on the 2017 tour of New Zealand.

He has featured in all six of The Lions’ last Test matches and was voted as the Lions’ Player of the Series in South Africa, 2021.

The squad features 26 first-time tourists, while nine players will participate in their second Lions Tour. Tadhg Furlong and Elliot Daly have also been selected for a third Lions Tour.

Northampton Saints back row Henry Pollock is the youngest member of the touring party at just 20 years of age.

There are two South African-born players in the squad with one in the forwards and one in the backs in Pierre Schoeman and Duhan van der Merwe.

For those who wish to push the envelope in the South African context, former Stormer Huw Jones who had his formative rugby years at False Bay has also been included.

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The England giant explained what it means to him to be B&I Lions captain.

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The first few words from our captain, @maroitoje 🫡#Lions2025 #WeGoBeyond pic.twitter.com/FvsjtVJkQO

— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) May 8, 2025

“It’s hard to articulate. It’s a tremendous honour and privilege. You think of the people who had held this position before and it’s remarkable,” Itoje said.

“It’s an honour and I’ll do my very best to make sure I can contribute to a successful tour.”

Itoje described the moment when he got the news that he would be entrusted with the captain’s armband.

“I found out on Tuesday. I got a call from an Irish number and I don’t have many Irish people calling me,” Itoje jokingly said.

“I didn’t have the number saved either so I picked the phone up and got the news.”

Andy Farrell added: “It was such an anticlimax because I phoned his head coach at Saracens to find out when training will finish and when he [Maro Itoje] will be on his own.

“It’s important that he’s able to savour the moment on his own. ”

Farrell also had great praise for Itoje and explained his reason for selecting him as captain.

“I want to congratulate Maro on being named captain of The British & Irish Lions.

“This is a great honour for Maro, his family and everyone who has supported him throughout his career from Saracens to England – and on to The Lions in 2017 and 2021.

“As a two-time tourist, Maro fully understands what The Lions is all about and also the role of the captain in helping the group achieve its goal of winning a Test Series this summer.”

Speaking about the squad, Farrell added: “Since we met as a coaching unit for the very first time six weeks ago we have been discussing more than 75 players of interest.

“But the key job is getting that squad balance right as we prepare for a long and demanding tour that finishes with a Three Test Series against the Wallabies.

“I am very excited about working with this group and believe they can achieve something special and add to the Lions legacy.”

British and Irish Lions tour squad

Forwards: Tadhg Beirne, Ollie Chessum, Jack Conan, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Scott Cummings, Tom Curry, Ben Earl, Zander Fagerson, Tadhg Furlong, Ellis Genge, Maro Itoje (captain), Ronan Kelleher, Joe McCarthy, Jac Morgan, Henry Pollock, Andrew Porter, James Ryan, Pierre Schoeman, Dan Sheehan, Will Stuart, Josh van der Flier.
Backs: Bundee Aki, Elliot Daly, Tommy Freeman, Jamison Gibson-Park, Mack Hansen, Huw Jones, Hugo Keenan, Blair Kinghorn, James Lowe, Alex Mitchell, Garry Ringrose, Finn Russell, Fin Smith, Marcus Smith, Sione Tuipulotu, Duhan van Der Merwe, Tomos Williams.

Your Lions 2025 forwards 😤#Lions2025 #WeGoBeyond pic.twitter.com/hckPNO78O1

— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) May 8, 2025

Your Lions 2025 backs ⚡️#Lions2025 #WeGoBeyond pic.twitter.com/a9Lc9raPlm

— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) May 8, 2025