BRITISH & IRISH LIONS
NewsBritish and Irish Lions tour dates confirmed
April 10 2008
The British and Irish Lions have announced their schedule for the 2009 tour of South Africa.
Having come to an agreement with the South African Rugby Union (SARU) the British and Irish Lions have released their ten-match tour itinerary.
The tour will include three Tests against the reigning World Champions, with the first Test taking place on June 20, 2009.
"We are looking forward to touring such a wonderful country and playing the World Champions on their own turf," British and Irish Lions Chairman Andy Irvine said.
"The tour itself promises to be full of challenges in a country where rugby is a real passion but I am confident that the 2009 Lions will acquit themselves well.
"Lions tours are unique events and as such extremely popular. We are expecting tens of thousands of Lions fans to travel to South Africa in 2009 and are certain that every one of them will come back with amazing memories."
SARU Managing Director Jonathan Stones expects the Lions tour to be on a par with the World Cup.
"The Lions tour will be a massive sporting event on a par with Rugby World Cup and is expected to be a huge success," said Stones.
"We are putting in place an exciting programme and look forward to hosting this unique team.
"It is anticipated that South Africa will reap significant economic benefits from this tour."
The Lions will play matches in seven cities over a period of six weeks, commencing with a game against the Highveld XV in Rustenburg.
The tour schedule includes six weekend fixtures and four midweek matches. Apart from the three Test matches, there is also an interesting fixture against the Emerging Springboks on 23 June, 2009. This match is sandwiched between the first and second Tests.
The Test matches against the Springboks will take place on 20 June in Durban, in Pretoria on 27 June and in Johannesburg on 4 July.
"It is important to note that two high profile matches have been scheduled in Cape Town, which will allow supporters in that region to see the Lions in action at Newlands," added Stones.
The Lions have toured South Africa on twelve previous occasions, with the first tour there taking place in 1891. That historic tour included Test matches at Port Elizabeth, Kimberley and Cape Town.
Since 1891 the Lions have won 16 Tests against the Springboks and lost 21, while seven Tests have been drawn.
British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa:
Saturday May 30: Highveld XV, Royal Bafokeng
Wednesday June 3: Golden Lions, Ellis Park
Saturday June 6: Cheetahs, Vodacom Park
Wednesday June 10: Sharks, ABSA Park
Saturday June 13: Western Province, Newlands
Tuesday/Wednesday June 16/17: Coastal XV (full details still to be confirmed)
Saturday June 20: First Test, ABSA Park
Tuesday June 23: Emerging Springboks, Newlands
Saturday June 27: Second Test, Loftus Versfeld
Saturday July 4: Third Test, Ellis Park