British & Irish Lions Tour – Superb value on underdog Springboks

Ralph Staniforth

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Last updated: 28 Apr 2020

Ralph Staniforth 28 Apr 2020

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World champions can upset the odds against B&I Lions

South Africa beat the B&I Lions the last time they met in 2009. The series ended 2-1 in favour of the Springboks. (Getty Images)

British & Irish Lions Tour Preview, Betting Options & Advice

The British & Irish Lions tour South Africa for the first time since 2009 in 2021. With CONVID-19 spreading havoc around every aspect of life including sport, there is still much to look forward to.

A B&I Lions Tour is often a once in a lifetime experience for many opposition players considering it only happens every 12 years. They tour every four years with each of South Africa, Australia and New Zealand getting a turn.

The tour to South Africa starts on 3 July 2021 and will encompass a total of eight matches, including the three Test matches against the Springboks. The other four fixtures will be against three of South Africa’s Super Rugby sides, one against a South Africa invitational team and lastly against South Africa A.

Former Welsh coach Warren Gatland will lead the B&I Lions for the third consecutive time. In 2013 he took them to victory over Australia and then to a drawn series against New Zealand in 2017 in what many considers one of the better tours in recent history.

Organisers are positive that the tour will go ahead as planned despite the current disruption to sport globally. The world champions against the B&I Lions – it doesn’t get much bigger than that!

South Africa

South Africa claimed the Rugby World Cup title in 2019 after they defeated England 32-12 in Yokohama. On their way to the final they defeated Wales narrowly in the semi final while Ireland lost to the All Blacks at the quarter final stage and Scotland, the last team to form the B&I Lions never made it out of the group stage.

It could not possibly be set up any better. Can South Africa continue their momentum or will the combined strength of the B&I Lions prove too much for new coach Jacques Nienaber? That question will remain unanswered until the first test on 24 July 2021.

B&I Lions

The B&I Lions have not lost a series since losing on their last trip to South Africa. They have since won in Australia (2013) and drawn in New Zealand (2017).

Head coach Warren Gatland left the Welsh coaching post at the end of the 2019 Rugby World Cup but had already been awarded the position as head coach of the B&I Lions tour. And why not – he has done superbly on his first two tours and will have an axe to grind with the hosts this time around.

Much can still change in the lead up to the tour. Injuries, form, suspension will play a key role prior to Gatland selecting his squad. Northern Hemisphere rugby is as strong as it has ever been at the moment so one guarantee is that the B&I Lions will arrive in South Africa as a formidable unit.

British & Irish Lions Tour Odds

With just over a year to go to the B&I Lions tour to South Africa many may think it is too early to place your bets. There is no doubt that there is a bigger risk to a bet this far out due to how things can change. It is however the time to pick up on value if you’re willing to take that chance.

Betway offers some great value and should you sign up today you will get a R25 free bet – a superb way to get your rugby bankroll up and running. Claim your bonus code here.

Who will win the series? Well, Betway have made the B&I Lions favourites at 1.61 with South Africa looking like an appetising prospect at 2.35. Another drawn series is priced at 34.00.

At those odds I’m certainly going to back the Springboks early and see what it brings me.

British & Irish Lions Tour Fixtures

Date	Match	Stadium
Saturday 3 July	B&I Lions vs Stormers	Cape Town Stadium
Wednesday 7 July	B&I Lions vs SA 'Invitational'	Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium
Saturday 10 July	B&I Lions vs Sharks	Kings Park
Wednesday 14 July	B&I Lions vs South Africa A	Mbombela Stadium
Saturday 17 July	B&I Lions vs Bulls	Loftus Versfeld
Saturday 24 July	South Africa vs B&I Lions (1st Test)	FNB Stadium
Saturday 31 July	South Africa vs B&I Lions (2nd Test)	Cape Town Stadium
Saturday 7 August	South Africa vs B&I Lions (3rd Test)	Emirates Airline Park

British & Irish Lions 2021 Tour to South Africa FAQ

How many times have the British & Irish Lions toured South Africa?

Since South Africa was readmitted into international sport in 1992 the British & Irish Lions have toured twice. In 1997 the British & Irish Lions beat the Springboks 2-1 but upon their return in 2009 the Springboks reversed that scoreline to win 2-1.

What happened on the last British & Irish Lions tour?

The last British & Irish Lions tour was to New Zealand in 2017. After New Zealand won the opening match fairly convincingly the British & Irish Lions managed to win the second Test and then drew the third Test to share the series.

When is the first Test between the Springboks and the British & Irish Lions?

The first Test between the Springboks and British & Irish Lions will take place on 24 July 2021. This is after the British & Irish Lions have played five warm-up games.

Who will be the British & Irish Lions coach in 2021?

Warren Gatland will be the head coach for the British & Irish Lions in 2021 - his third successive tour as head coach.

Where will the Test matches be played between South Africa and the British & Irish Lions?

The first Test will take place at the Cape Town Stadium, the second Test will be played at the FNB Stadium while the third Test will be at Emirates Airline Park.

Verdict

Early bird catches the worm. I'm going to back the world champions Springboks to beat the B&I Lions in the three match series. I don't feel like these odds will get any better as we get ever closer to the tour.