The interest in the British and Irish Lions 2021 South Africa tour is “off the scale” and organisers remain optimistic that fans will be in the stadiums, according to managing director Ben Calveley.

On Wednesday morning, it was announced the Lions will play Japan at Murrayfield next summer in a curtain-raiser Test match ahead of the series against the Springboks.

The confirmed June 26 date is the same day as next season’s Gallagher Premiership final, a week before the Lions’ tour opener in Cape Town, and will be subject to any Covid-19 restrictions which may be in place at the time.

“It is reality of modern-day sports scheduling that you have multiple fixtures taking place simultaneously. You see that all across the world,” Calveley said.

“The fixture we have announced this morning takes place in Scotland, and we will arrange kick off times to make sure we are not clashing with other fixtures which are happening on the same day.

“This is a non-Regulation 9 fixture, so in all likelihood we are (going to be) using different groups of players.

“My view is there is lots of examples even within rugby of multiple Test matches happening on the same day – the Six Nations does it on the culmination of the championship.

“I am really sure there is more than enough enthusiasm. There are more than enough rugby fans out there to accommodate multiple fixtures and we are really looking forward to the Japan fixture up in Edinburgh.”