SM
Saturday, January 4
Upcoming predictions and previews

Rassie Erasmus says Springboks will go to "option Z" to make Lions series happen

:Headline: Rassie Erasmus says Springboks will go to 'option Z' to make Lions series happen: ID:431124: from db_amp
The tour's original schedule is in grave doubt due to the coronavirus pandemic.

South Africa's director of rugby Rassie Erasmus insists the Springboks will do whatever it takes to make the Lions series happen.

The coronavirus pandemic has placed the tour's original schedule in grave doubt, with three contingency plans being looked at if, as expected, it fails to take place in full stadiums in South Africa.

The options being examined are to postpone it until next year, host it in the UK and Ireland or keep the existing itinerary but stage the matches behind closed doors.

South Africa are the reigning world champions (David Davies/PA)

Erasmus, the Springboks' 2019 World Cup-winning coach, is open to all eventualities as long as the event actually takes place.

"We desperately want to play the Lions, and we will do anything to play them," he told an online press conference.

"This series only comes around every 12 years. I have heard the different calls and opinions about the tour, and although we didn't play in the Rugby Championship because of player welfare, it was also because we knew there was this big series in 2021.

"If option one of playing in South Africa doesn't work out, we will go to option Z to make it happen.

"We don't want to lose out on the Lions series, we feel we deserve to play against them. I want to, (head coach) Jacques Nienaber wants to, the players want to. So from our side we'll do anything.

"But, yes, we will explore any option to play the Lions – we will play next year, we will play over there. This is the view from a player and management perspective."

Talks amongst the Lions' eight-man board are ongoing and a decision will be made next month.

amp_article__431124 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2021-01-18 16:37:26:
html db last update - 2021-01-18 16:37:26 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Rassie Erasmus

Click here for more stories about South Africa

Share this article now:
Read more about Rassie Erasmus Rugby Union
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool18143145172845
2Arsenal19116238172139
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest1911442619737
4Chelsea19105438231535
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle20105534221235
6Manchester CityMan City199463226631
7Bournemouth198652923630
8Fulham197842825329
9Aston Villa198562831-329
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton196942928127
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs20731042301224
12Brentford197393335-224
13West Ham UnitedWest Ham196582335-1223
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd196492126-522
15Crystal Palace194872027-720
16Everton183871524-917
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1944113142-1116
18Ipswich TownIpswich1936101833-1515
19Leicester CityLeicester1935112242-2014
20Southampton1913151239-276
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .