• Series against Springboks could break attendance records
Warren Gatland believes the British and Irish Lions will cope with the daunting challenge of playing two Tests at altitude when they tour South Africa in 2021. The schedule for the eight-match visit has now been confirmed with the Test series commencing in Soweto’s 88,000-capacity FNB Stadium on 24 July and concluding at Ellis Park, Johannesburg on 7 August.
The second Test will be played at sea level in Cape Town with the Lions also taking on three provincial sides and South Africa A in a truncated eight-match itinerary that features only two midweek fixtures. Gatland, however, believes the Lions still have a genuine chance of overturning the world champions, who edged the last series against the Lions in 2009. “I am absolutely thrilled with how this schedule looks,” said Gatland, whose Lions beat Australia in 2013 and drew the series with New Zealand in 2017.
Written by Robert Kitson
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/dec/04/lions-south-africa-warren-gatland-tour-shedule under the title “Warren Gatland ‘thrilled’ with daunting Lions tour schedule in South Africa”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
