The British & Irish Lions Tour – so far
We may only be two matches in, but the 2021 British & Irish Lions tour so far has not been short of controversy or talking points. Warren Gatland’s squad got things started in some style, winning their warm-up game against Japan before flying out to South Africa for the tour.
They’ve played two matches so far, and have another three, before facing South Africa in the usual three tests. The first is being held at the Cape Town Stadium, before a trip to Johannesburg, with the FNB Stadium hosting the final two tests.
At this early stage, the Lions Tour odds are in their favour, although the Springboks are formidable opponents – and won the previous test they hosted in 2009, as well as the Rugby World Cup in 2019.
Let’s take a look at the action so far, as we gear up to the test getting underway on July 24th.
British & Irish Lions roar loudest
It was a battle of the Lions, as the Sigma Lions took on the British & Irish contingent – with the latter coming out on top in the opening match of the series. All about the debutants early on, as Louis Rees-Zammit and Hamish Watson both scored, and before half-time, Ali Price, on his first Lions start, added a third try. At halftime, it was 21-7 – and there was surely no way back for the South African team.
Josh Adams started the second half brightly – landing two tries in the opening 13 minutes, both of which were converted by Owen Farrell. And it became the Adams show later on, as the Welsh winger went on to score a further two tries to extend the Lions’ advantage. It was the perfect start – eight tries scored and all converted as it ended:
Sigma Lions 14-56 British & Irish Lions
Sharks are sunk in Joburg
If their first performance wasn’t dominating enough, the Lions took on the Cell C Sharks to produce another red-hot scoreline. Adams continued his great form, landing a hat-trick of tries, while Duhan van der Merwe notched three himself. The lead-up to the match was marred by disruption, when a player and a member of the Lions management team tested positive for coronavirus – forcing eight players to isolate as Gatland rung the changes.
It appeared the late changes were no problem, as the Lions romped to a 26-0 lead at half time. After the break, James Venter hit back for the Sharks but it eventually came to no avail, with a bit of internal competition between the Lions’ wingers and Welsh internationals. Not to be outdone by Adams, Rees-Zammit added another try and in the game’s final 10 minutes, the floodgates opened.
Both Adams and van der Merwe landed their third tries of the match, and it ended:
Cell C Sharks 7-54 British & Irish Lions
Shark have no bite
Following the news that their match in Pretoria against the Vodacom Bulls will be postponed, due to a covid outbreak, the Lions faced the Sharks once more last weekend. Back at the Loftus Versfeld, the Lions ran out 71-31 winners.
Following that huge victory, the Lions face South Africa ‘A’ on July 14th, and the DHL Stormers three days only. As mentioned, the big test kicks off on July 24th with the Lions facing the Springboks in the first of three tests – the second taking place on July 31st, and the final, a week later on August 7th.
