ALL THREE LIONS TESTS TO BE PLAYED IN CAPE TOWN

Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, all three Tests between the British and Irish Lions and the Springboks will be played in Cape Town.

With Gauteng being the epicentre of the current third wave, the organisers of the test series decided not to move the players and managing teams to Johannesburg.

The BBC reports that the decision was made following "extensive consultation" with medical experts.

Jurie Roux, chief executive of SA Rugby told reporters that the data "pointed in only one direction".

With both teams in bio-secure environments in Cape Town, no positive cases or any isolation cases have been reported. Roux believes that if the teams now returned to Johannesburg, it would expose the entire series to renewed risk.

"The series has already been significantly disrupted by Covid-19. Everyone wants to see the two squads, at their strongest, play out an unforgettable series over the next three weekends. This decision gives us the best opportunity to see that happen."

Ben Calveley, the Lions' managing director, said the touring party fully supported SA Rugby's decision and believe that it's in the best interest of the Test series.

The first game between the hosts and the Lions is set to take place on Saturday 24 July at 18:00.

Image credit: Sharks Rugby