Unlike a usual tour, where the series is guaranteed by the number of traveling fans spending money with full stadiums in different venues across the host nation, this tour is now solely based in Cape Town with the teams locked in a bubble for the next two weeks.
If the result is the same next week, there is no reason to play the last game in a series that would have been decided and a third Test which would have no real meaning other than the hope of a clean sweep, just the same as it was in 1997.
With the Lions having won the first two Tests in ‘97 (16-25 and 15-18) and therefore the series, the team for the third game had some player changes but were unable to complete a Bok's whitewash going down 35-16 in the final Test.
Now South Africa is in the throes of a third covid wave with over two million infections (plus riots on the streets) so the need to play the third Test of a decided series seems to be an unnecessary risk for all involved.
Given the threat to the families and partners I assume the Lions party will have to be locked in isolation for a week in a hotel near to the airport when they return, ending what will have been the strangest tour undertaken by any Lions squad.
No one should underestimate the efforts of all those involved; especially Lions chairman Jason Leonard, in making this tour happen against all the odds and what it will mean for the Home Unions even with a reduced financial Lions windfall.
Bu hikaye The Rugby Paper dergisinin July 25, 2021 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye The Rugby Paper dergisinin July 25, 2021 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
England can find a little bit of cheer
SO HERE we are on the final day of England’s autumn international series with all of us hoping and expecting Steve Borthwick’s team to win today after three weeks of bitter disappointment.
Stop messing with Marcus - Campese
DAVID Campese believes England are going backwards under Steve Borthwick, who is ‘messing around’ with talisman Marcus Smith.
Being a Lion was the highlight of my career
I PLAYED 19 games and scored 219 points for the Lions, on the tours to South Africa in 1968 and New Zealand in 1971, but I never played in a Test and that was fair enough.
Cook's crew not fazed as they eye tilt at top half
THERE appear to be few signs of second season syndrome at Westcombe Park as captain Nick Cook reveals the group aren’t even contemplating the threat of relegation and are instead targeting a top-half finish.
Forwards pack a punch for the Reds
OLD Redcliffians produced a proud defensive effort to take a bonus-point win.
Tom 'Ailes' the achievements of inspirational skipper Riley
SEDGLEY Park No. 8 Tom Ailes says his team relish the competitive nature of National One and is confident the Tigers can rectify their rocky start to the season in weeks to come.
Strachan confident Ampthill will be firing again soon
FRASER Strachan is determined to put Ampthill’s leaky defensive showings behind them and gain some much needed confidence in the run up to Christmas.
It's a whole new ball game for Rigg
WILL Rigg’s ambition was to become a professional cricketer but it is the oval ball rather than The Oval that is his driver now.
Scarratt leads the way for Lightning
LOUGHBOROUGH won a wet and windy East Midlands Derby after having the bonus point in the bag by half-time.
Becconsall: We need to release pressure
WILL Becconsall says Exeter are not spooked by the threat of relegation as they look to turn around their Premiership campaign after starting with six straight defeats.
