Lions Squad to Face the Springboks in 2021 Tour

The British & Irish Lions Tour 2021 – The finest and ultimate rugby tour of all will kick off on 3rd July 2021.

Every four years, the very best players from England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales unite as one to undertake a truly remarkable journey.

It will be a tour of huge impact, emotions, and significance, evoking memories of the invincible Lions squad of 1974.

Thousands of fans are expected to visit one of the greatest rugby nations on earth for a once in a lifetime rugby experience.

The famous red jerseys are scheduled for a much-anticipated eight-match tour which includes the battle against the reigning RWC champion Springboks in three Tests.

Castle Lager Lions Series South Africa 2021 fixtures >>

Springbok Rugby World Cup winning hero Handré Pollard says the prospects of representing South Africa in next year’s series against the British & Irish Lions would be like a dream come true for him.

Pollard said he is filled with anticipation for the Lions’ visit – as well as welcoming their legion of passionate supporters to South Africa.

It will be the first time in 12 years that the two opponents will face each other following the Springboks’ 2-1 series win under the leadership of John Smit in 2009.

In 2013, the British & Irish Lions beat Australia in three Tests, and in 2017 they shared the series with the All Blacks in New Zealand.

Pollard, the highest points’ scorer at the RWC in Japan last year, played a key role in the Springboks’ memorable 32-12 triumph over England in the 2019 RWC final in Tokyo.

But he admitted that, after the celebrations petered out in November last year, their focus shifted to welcoming the British & Irish Lions to these shores in 2021.

The Reactions

Meanwhile, Shane Williams (Wales) believes The British & Irish Lions have “unfinished business” with South Africa as the tourists look to avenge their series defeat to the Springboks in 2009.

The legendary Welsh winger played a starring role in the final Test against the hosts 11 years ago, scoring two tries as he was awarded man of the match following a memorable 28-9 victory.

But Williams was left out of the first Test and was a late replacement in the second as the Springboks emerged victorious in both to seal the series ahead of the climax at Ellis Park.

And having finished on the wrong side of one of the toughest, closely-fought Tests series in Lions history, Williams hopes next year’s men in red can earn redemption in South Africa.

“I’m really excited for a number of reasons,” he said. “I think the players we have to select from for the British & Irish Lions is stronger than it’s ever been. I do believe we can go out there and win that series.

“We have unfinished business from 2009 – I’d like to see the lads go out there and a kind of redeem themselves from what happened in that series as we should have won that one.

“And we’re playing the world champions, it’s a great match-up. It works out really, really well.

Read Warren Gatland’s reaction to the tour to South Africa: British and Irish Lions schedule announced for 2021 tour to South Africa >>

Want to know who are the possible squad members of the Lions? Read Rugbypass pundit Jim Hamilton selects strange 2021 Lions XV – and fans hate it

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