Winners and losers in british & irish lions tour schedule

Winners: 

Local SA Franchises:

They get to have a crack at the Lions touring party fresh off the boat on hard fast fields in altitude which is incredibly difficult at the best of times. The Lions will be looking to use their superior forward power to slow the game down and kick for territory whilst the SA teams will have nothing to lose running it at them all day long. I would not be surprised if the local teams get two out of three wins in the early baptism of fire but much of it depends on the composition of the local franchise squads. Will they have the Springbok players who need game time? Will they have the fringe players who will be chomping at the bit to prove the coaches they belong? Either way expect fireworks early on from the locals.

Lions:

The Lions play the first test match against the Boks in Cape Town in July, anyone who has spent winter in  the fair Cape knows it can be anything but fair. A first match potentially in wet conditions will suit the Lions down to a tee who will look to win the arm wrestle against a Bok team that will have not played against quality opposition since 2019. The first test is so vitally important in setting the tone for the how the three matches play out, look no further than the First Test in Durban last time round where the Boks obliterated the Lions at scrum time. 

Losers: 

Fans:

Covid 19 truly has robbed South African and Lions supporters of one of the most remarkable sporting events in the world. It is so steeped in tradition that you would think it has lost its relevance but in fact it invokes more passion and emotion than you can imagine. Looking at the past tours where large grown men were brought to tears explaining what it means to put on the jersey shows just how meaningful these tours are. The famous stories of Lions fans drinking cities dry and singing to the wee hours of most mornings is something that we could do with during these dark days. It was not meant to be and the world of sport will be poorer for it. 

Springboks:

The energy that the Springboks derive from representing the famous jumping buck is through the passion of the fans and without them it is going to be difficult to up the ante on game day. Part of the thrill of hearing the crowd roaring, sending butterflies all the way in the players’ stomachs is often the extra 1% they need to deliver on the day. Will they be able to bring enough juice themselves on the game is going to be crucial in this tour which is going to be decided by very small margins.