2021 British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa

The 2021 British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa was an international rugby union tour that took place in South Africa in July and August 2021. The British & Irish Lions, a team selected from players eligible to represent England, Ireland, Scotland or Wales, played a three-match test series against South Africa, and tour matches against three of South Africa's four United Rugby Championship teams and South Africa A.

2021 British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa
Date3 July – 7 August
Coach(es) Warren Gatland
Tour captain(s) Alun Wyn Jones
Conor Murray (temporary)[lower-alpha 1]
Test series winners South Africa (2–1)
Lions' top point scorer(s) Dan Biggar (47)
Lions' top try scorer(s) Josh Adams (8)
Player of the Series Maro Itoje

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted the tour, leading to numerous schedule changes and the matches in South Africa taking place without fans present. Before leaving for South Africa, the Lions beat Japan in a warm-up match at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh. They won all of their matches against the South African franchises, but lost to South Africa A.

South Africa won the test series by two matches to one. The Lions won the first test 22–17 on 24 July, but South Africa won the second test 27–9 a week later before winning the third test 19–16 with a late penalty on 7 August.

Warren Gatland was the Lions' head coach, making him only the second coach to lead the team on three consecutive tours.[lower-alpha 2] Alun Wyn Jones of Wales was the Lions' tour captain, but was injured in the home match against Japan on 26 June; he initially withdrew from the squad before returning three weeks later. Ireland's Conor Murray took over as captain during Jones' absence.

Schedule

The eight-match schedule was announced on 4 December 2019,[1] and confirmed on 14 May 2021. The Lions also scheduled a home match against Japan for 26 June, the first time the teams had met, and the first game to be hosted by the Lions since they played Argentina at the Millennium Stadium in 2005.[2] Unlike recent tours, when the Lions played seven games against non-national teams, in 2021 there are only five.[3][4]

Due to the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was reported in early 2021 that the tour could be held in Britain and Ireland instead of South Africa, postponed to 2022 or cancelled altogether.[5] With the Lions traditionally being a touring side, thousands of fans signed a petition to put pressure on the Lions board to keep the tour in South Africa and postpone until 2022. In January 2021, Rugby Australia offered to host the tournament in Australia if it could not be held in South Africa,[6] but this was rejected.[7] In March 2021, it was confirmed that the tour would go ahead as planned.[8]

Originally, the eight matches were to be played in the home stadiums of the Lions' opponents. Due to COVID, the schedule was changed so that all eight matches would be played in only four venues, all in Gauteng or Cape Town, to reduce the teams' travel requirements.[9] A match against an SA Invitational team was replaced by one against the South African Lions franchise to reduce the risks associated with drawing a squad from around the country.[10] The match against the Bulls was cancelled due to several positive COVID tests in the Bulls' camp, and a second match against the Sharks was added instead.[11][12] On 20 July, it was announced that the second and third tests would be moved from Johannesburg to Cape Town.[13]

Date Home team Score Away team Venue Details
26 June British & Irish Lions 28–10 Japan Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh Match details
3 July Lions 14–56 British & Irish Lions Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg Match details
7 July Sharks 7–54 British & Irish Lions Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg Match details
10 July Sharks 31–71 British & Irish Lions Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria Match details
14 July South Africa A 17–13 British & Irish Lions Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town Match details
17 July Stormers 3–49 British & Irish Lions Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town Match details
24 July South Africa 17–22 British & Irish Lions Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town Match details
31 July South Africa 27–9 British & Irish Lions Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town Match details
7 August South Africa 19–16 British & Irish Lions Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town Match details

Squads

Lions

Lions chairman Jason Leonard announced an initial squad of 37 on 6 May 2021, made up of 11 players from England, 10 from Wales, 8 from Ireland and 8 from Scotland.[14]

Prop Andrew Porter withdrew from the squad on 5 June because of a toe injury; he was replaced by Kyle Sinckler.[15]

Rónan Kelleher joined the pre-tour training camp in Jersey to cover for hookers Jamie George and Luke Cowan-Dickie, who had club commitments. Kelleher was not added to the touring squad at the time,[16][17] but was called up to the squad on 14 July.[18]

On 26 June, tour captain Alun Wyn Jones and Justin Tipuric withdrew from the tour after being injured against Japan; Adam Beard and Josh Navidi were called up as their replacements.[19] On 14 July, Jones returned to the squad, having overcome his shoulder injury.[20]

On 10 July, Marcus Smith was called up as Finn Russell was injured, with Russell remaining on the tour.[21]

Notes: Ages listed are as of the first tour match on 26 June. Player positions are per the Lions' website.[22] Bold denotes that the player was selected for a previous Lions squad. Italic denotes a player that withdrew from the squad following selection.

Player Position Date of birth (age) National team Club/­province National caps
(Lions caps)		 Notes
Luke Cowan-DickieHooker (1993-06-20)20 June 1993 (aged 28) EnglandExeter Chiefs31
Jamie GeorgeHooker (1990-10-20)20 October 1990 (aged 30) EnglandSaracens59 (3)
Rónan KelleherHooker (1998-01-24)24 January 1998 (aged 23) IrelandLeinster11Called up as additional cover
Ken OwensHooker (1987-01-03)3 January 1987 (aged 34) WalesScarlets82 (2)
Zander FagersonProp (1996-01-19)19 January 1996 (aged 25) ScotlandGlasgow Warriors38
Tadhg FurlongProp (1992-11-14)14 November 1992 (aged 28) IrelandLeinster49 (3)
Wyn JonesProp (1992-02-26)26 February 1992 (aged 29) WalesScarlets35
Andrew PorterProp (1996-01-16)16 January 1996 (aged 25) IrelandLeinster37Withdrew due to injury sustained before tour
Kyle SincklerProp (1993-03-30)30 March 1993 (aged 28) EnglandBristol Bears47 (3)Replaced Andrew Porter
Rory SutherlandProp (1992-08-24)24 August 1992 (aged 28) ScotlandEdinburgh16
Mako VunipolaProp (1991-01-14)14 January 1991 (aged 30) EnglandSaracens67 (6)
Adam BeardSecond row (1996-01-07)7 January 1996 (aged 25) WalesOspreys25Replaced Alun Wyn Jones
Tadhg BeirneSecond row (1992-01-08)8 January 1992 (aged 29) IrelandMunster22
Iain HendersonSecond row (1992-02-21)21 February 1992 (aged 29) IrelandUlster63
Jonny HillSecond row (1994-06-08)8 June 1994 (aged 27) EnglandExeter Chiefs9
Maro ItojeSecond row (1994-10-28)28 October 1994 (aged 26) EnglandSaracens48 (3)
Alun Wyn Jones (c)Second row (1985-09-19)19 September 1985 (aged 35) WalesOspreys148 (9)Missed three weeks of the tour due to injury
Courtney LawesSecond row (1989-02-23)23 February 1989 (aged 32) EnglandNorthampton Saints87 (2)
Jack ConanBack row (1992-07-29)29 July 1992 (aged 28) IrelandLeinster20
Tom CurryBack row (1998-06-15)15 June 1998 (aged 23) EnglandSale Sharks33
Taulupe FaletauBack row (1990-11-12)12 November 1990 (aged 30) WalesBath86 (4)
Josh NavidiBack row (1990-12-30)30 December 1990 (aged 30) WalesCardiff Blues28Replaced Justin Tipuric
Sam SimmondsBack row (1994-11-10)10 November 1994 (aged 26) EnglandExeter Chiefs7
Justin TipuricBack row (1989-08-06)6 August 1989 (aged 31) WalesOspreys85 (1)Withdrew due to injury sustained during tour
Hamish WatsonBack row (1991-10-15)15 October 1991 (aged 29) ScotlandEdinburgh41
Gareth DaviesScrum-half (1990-08-18)18 August 1990 (aged 30) WalesScarlets62
Conor Murray (c)Scrum-half (1989-04-20)20 April 1989 (aged 32) IrelandMunster89 (5)Replaced Alun Wyn Jones as tour captain[23]
Ali PriceScrum-half (1993-05-12)12 May 1993 (aged 28) ScotlandGlasgow Warriors42
Dan BiggarFly-half (1989-10-16)16 October 1989 (aged 31) WalesNorthampton Saints92
Owen FarrellFly-half (1991-09-24)24 September 1991 (aged 29) EnglandSaracens93 (4)
Finn RussellFly-half (1992-09-23)23 September 1992 (aged 28) ScotlandRacing 9255
Marcus SmithFly-half (1999-02-14)14 February 1999 (aged 22) EnglandHarlequins2Called up as injury cover for Finn Russell
Bundee AkiCentre (1990-04-07)7 April 1990 (aged 31) IrelandConnacht31
Elliot DalyCentre (1992-10-08)8 October 1992 (aged 28) EnglandSaracens52 (3)
Chris HarrisCentre (1990-12-28)28 December 1990 (aged 30) ScotlandGloucester28
Robbie HenshawCentre (1993-06-12)12 June 1993 (aged 28) IrelandLeinster52
Josh AdamsWing (1995-04-21)21 April 1995 (aged 26) WalesCardiff Blues32
Louis Rees-ZammitWing (2001-02-02)2 February 2001 (aged 20) WalesGloucester9
Duhan van der MerweWing (1995-06-04)4 June 1995 (aged 26) ScotlandEdinburgh10
Anthony WatsonWing (1994-02-26)26 February 1994 (aged 27) EnglandBath51 (3)
Stuart HoggFull back (1992-06-24)24 June 1992 (aged 29) ScotlandExeter Chiefs85
Liam WilliamsFull back (1991-04-09)9 April 1991 (aged 30) WalesScarlets71 (3)

Management and staff

Reported candidates to coach the 2021 Lions included Warren Gatland, Eddie Jones, Gregor Townsend, Joe Schmidt, Dai Young and Mark McCall.[24] Gatland was announced as the head coach on 12 June 2019.[25]

On 13 April 2021, Gatland announced his coaching team, including Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend as attack coach, Scotland defence coach Steve Tandy, Leinster forwards coach Robin McBryde and Wales kicking coach Neil Jenkins. This was the sixth tour for Jenkins (two as a player, four as a coach), for Townsend, Tandy and McBryde this is their first Lions tour as coaches.[26]

Role Name
Management
Chief executive Steve Brown
Managing director Ben Calveley
Chairman/Team manager Jason Leonard
Coaches
Role Name Union/Club
Head coach Warren Gatland Chiefs
Assistant coach (attack) Gregor Townsend  Scotland
Assistant coach (forwards) Robin McBryde Leinster
Assistant coach (defence) Steve Tandy  Scotland
Assistant coach (kicking) Neil Jenkins  Wales
Performance staff
Head of medical Prabhat Mathema  Wales
Doctor Dr Geoff Davies  Wales
Doctor Dr Ciaran Cosgrove  Ireland
Physiotherapist Bob Stewart  England
Physiotherapist John Miles  Wales
Soft tissue therapist Ann-Marie Birmingham  England
Soft tissue therapist Hanlie Fouche  Wales
Head of strength & conditioning Paul Stridgeon  Wales
Strength & conditioning coach Jon Clarke  England
Strength & conditioning coach Huw Bennett  Wales
Sports scientist Brian Cunniffe English Institute of Sport
Head of analysis Rhodri Bown  Wales
Analyst Vinny Hammond  Ireland
Analyst Marc Kinnaird  Wales
Analyst Gavin Vaughan  Scotland

South Africa

On 5 June, South Africa named a 46-man squad for their two-test series against Georgia and the three tests against the British & Irish Lions.[27]

On 10 July, Lizo Gqoboka and Fez Mbatha were added to the squad as COVID-19 cover.[28]

Coaching team:[29]

Note: Ages, caps and clubs as of first test match on 24 July 2021.

Player Position Date of birth (age) Caps Club/province
Joseph Dweba Hooker (1995-10-25)25 October 1995 (aged 25) 0 Bordeaux Bègles
Malcolm Marx Hooker (1994-07-13)13 July 1994 (aged 27) 34 Kubota Spears
Fez Mbatha Hooker (1999-08-02)2 August 1999 (aged 21) 0 Sharks
Bongi Mbonambi Hooker (1991-01-07)7 January 1991 (aged 30) 37 Stormers
Scarra Ntubeni Hooker (1991-02-18)18 February 1991 (aged 30) 1 Stormers
Thomas du Toit Prop (1995-05-05)5 May 1995 (aged 26) 12 Sharks
Lizo Gqoboka Prop (1990-03-24)24 March 1990 (aged 31) 2 Bulls
Steven Kitshoff Prop (1992-02-10)10 February 1992 (aged 29) 48 Stormers
Vincent Koch Prop (1990-03-13)13 March 1990 (aged 31) 21 Saracens
Frans Malherbe Prop (1991-03-14)14 March 1991 (aged 30) 39 Stormers
Ox Nché Prop (1995-07-23)23 July 1995 (aged 26) 2 Sharks
Trevor Nyakane Prop (1989-05-04)4 May 1989 (aged 32) 43 Bulls
Coenie Oosthuizen Prop (1989-03-22)22 March 1989 (aged 32) 30 Sale Sharks
Lood de Jager Lock (1992-12-17)17 December 1992 (aged 28) 45 Sale Sharks
Eben Etzebeth Lock (1991-10-29)29 October 1991 (aged 29) 86 Toulon
Nico Janse van Rensburg Lock (1994-05-06)6 May 1994 (aged 27) 0 Montpellier
Franco Mostert Lock (1990-11-27)27 November 1990 (aged 30) 40 Honda Heat
Marvin Orie Lock (1993-06-02)2 June 1993 (aged 27) 4 Stormers
RG Snyman Lock (1995-01-29)29 January 1995 (aged 26) 23 Munster
Dan du Preez Loose forward (1995-08-05)5 August 1995 (aged 26) 4 Sale Sharks
Jean-Luc du Preez Loose forward (1995-08-05)5 August 1995 (aged 25) 13 Sale Sharks
Pieter-Steph du Toit Loose forward (1992-08-20)20 August 1992 (aged 28) 56 Stormers
Rynhardt Elstadt Loose forward (1989-12-20)20 December 1989 (aged 31) 2 Toulouse
Siya Kolisi (c) Loose forward (1991-06-16)16 June 1991 (aged 30) 51 Sharks
Kwagga Smith Loose forward (1996-06-11)11 June 1996 (aged 25) 7 Yamaha Júbilo
Marco van Staden Loose forward (1995-08-25)25 August 1995 (aged 25) 3 Bulls
Duane Vermeulen Loose forward (1986-07-03)3 July 1986 (aged 35) 54 Bulls
Jasper Wiese Loose forward (1995-10-21)21 October 1995 (aged 25) 1 Leicester Tigers
Faf de Klerk Scrum-half (1991-10-19)19 October 1991 (aged 29) 30 Sale Sharks
Herschel Jantjies Scrum-half (1996-04-22)22 April 1996 (aged 25) 11 Stormers
Sanele Nohamba Scrum-half (1999-01-19)19 January 1999 (aged 22) 0 Sharks
Cobus Reinach Scrum-half (1990-02-07)7 February 1990 (aged 31) 15 Montpellier
Elton Jantjies Fly-half (1990-08-01)1 August 1990 (aged 30) 38 Pau
Handré Pollard Fly-half (1994-03-11)11 March 1994 (aged 27) 49 Montpellier
Morné Steyn Fly-half (1984-07-11)11 July 1984 (aged 37) 66 Bulls
Lukhanyo Am Centre (1993-11-28)28 November 1993 (aged 27) 15 Sharks
Damian de Allende Centre (1991-11-25)25 November 1991 (aged 29) 47 Munster
Jesse Kriel Centre (1994-02-15)15 February 1994 (aged 27) 47 Canon Eagles
Wandisile Simelane Centre (1998-03-21)21 March 1998 (aged 23) 0 Lions
François Steyn Centre (1987-05-14)14 May 1987 (aged 34) 68 Cheetahs
Cheslin Kolbe Wing (1993-10-28)28 October 1993 (aged 27) 14 Toulouse
Makazole Mapimpi Wing (1990-07-26)26 July 1990 (aged 30) 14 Sharks
Sbu Nkosi Wing (1996-01-21)21 January 1996 (aged 25) 11 Sharks
Yaw Penxe Wing (1997-04-03)3 April 1997 (aged 24) 0 Sharks
Rosko Specman Wing (1989-04-28)28 April 1989 (aged 32) 1 Cheetahs
Aphelele Fassi Fullback (1998-01-23)23 January 1998 (aged 23) 1 Sharks
Willie le Roux Fullback (1989-08-18)18 August 1989 (aged 31) 62 Toyota Verblitz
Damian Willemse Fullback (1998-05-07)7 May 1998 (aged 23) 7 Stormers

Matches

British & Irish Lions v Japan

The Lions began their 2021 tour with their first ever match in Scotland. Lions captain Alun Wyn Jones was substituted in the 7th minute after suffering a dislocated shoulder that seemed to rule him out of the tour. The Lions went 21–0 up in the first 23 minutes, through tries from Josh Adams, Duhan van der Merwe and Robbie Henshaw, all converted by Dan Biggar, but also lost flanker Justin Tipuric to a shoulder injury in the 21st minute. Tadhg Beirne added a fourth try after half-time, again converted by Biggar to make it 28–0. Japan responded with a try by Kazuki Himeno after 58 minutes, converted by Yu Tamura, who also kicked a penalty with 12 minutes to go to make the final score 28–10.[30]

26 June 2021
15:00 BST (UTC+01)
British & Irish Lions 28–10  Japan
Try: Adams 11' c
Van der Merwe 17' c
Henshaw 22' c
Beirne 48' c
Con: Biggar (4/4) 13', 18', 23', 48'
 Report Try: Himeno 58' c
Con: Tamura (1/1) 60'
Pen: Tamura (1/2) 68'

Lions v British & Irish Lions
3 July 2021
18:00 SAST (UTC+02)
Lions 14–56 British & Irish Lions
Try: V. Tshituka 34' c
Maxwane 43' c
Con: Hendrikse (2/2) 35', 44'
 Report Try: Rees-Zammit 3' c
H. Watson 6' c
Price 32' c
Adams (4) 41' c, 53' c, 67' c, 71' c
Davies 65' c
Con: Farrell (8/8) 4', 7', 33', 41', 55', 66', 68', 72'

Sharks v British & Irish Lions
7 July 2021
20:00 SAST (UTC+02)
Sharks 7–54 British & Irish Lions
Try: Venter 50' c
Con: Bosch (1/1) 50'
 Report Try: Adams (3) 2' c, 56' c, 77' c
Van der Merwe (3) 6' c, 25' m, 73' c
Aki 38' c
Rees-Zammit 60' c
Con: Farrell (3/4) 3', 6', 40'
Russell (4/4) 57', 61', 74', 79'

Sharks v British & Irish Lions
10 July 2021
18:00 SAST (UTC+02)
Sharks 31–71 British & Irish Lions
Try: Volmink (2) 10' c, 35' c
Abrahams 14' m
Hendrikse 23' c
Kok 52' m
Con: Cronjé (3/5) 11', 24', 36'
 Report Try: Harris 4' c
George (2) 20' m, 54' c
Van der Merwe 25' c
Beirne (2) 38' c, 63' c
Conan 47' m
Daly 50' c
A. Watson (2) 58' c, 79' m
Curry 66' c
Con: Biggar (8/10) 5', 26', 39', 51', 55', 58', 64', 66'

South Africa A v British & Irish Lions
14 July 2021
20:00 SAST (UTC+02)
South Africa A  17–13 British & Irish Lions
Try: Nkosi 12' c
Am 31' c
Con: Steyn (2/2) 13', 33'
Pen: Steyn (1/2) 5'
 Report Try: Jones 43' c
Con: Farrell (1/1) 44'
Pen: Farrell (2/2) 27', 50'

Stormers v British & Irish Lions
17 July 2021
18:00 SAST (UTC+02)
Stormers 3–49 British & Irish Lions
Pen: Swiel (1/1) 19'
 Report Try: Beard 27' c
Cowan-Dickie 33' c
Hill 40' c
Conan 49' c
Fagerson 67' c
Rees-Zammit 73' c
Simmonds 77' c
Con: Smith (7/7) 28', 34', 40', 50', 68', 75', 78'

South Africa v British & Irish Lions (first test)
24 July 2021
18:00 SAST (UTC+02)
South Africa  17–22 British & Irish Lions
Try: De Klerk 49' m
Pen: Pollard (4/5) 13', 17', 26', 30'
 Report Try: Cowan-Dickie 43' c
Con: Biggar (1/1) 44'
Pen: Biggar (4/5) 19', 52', 55', 62'
Farrell (1/1) 78'
FB15Willie le Roux 66'
RW14Cheslin Kolbe
OC13Lukhanyo Am
IC12Damian de Allende
LW11Makazole Mapimpi
FH10Handré Pollard 70'
SH9Faf de Klerk 73'
N88Kwagga Smith 63'
BF7Pieter-Steph du Toit
OF6Siya Kolisi (c)
RL5Franco Mostert 62'
LL4Eben Etzebeth
TP3Trevor Nyakane 40'
HK2Bongi Mbonambi 40'
LP1Ox Nché 40'
Replacements:
HK16Malcolm Marx 40'
PR17Steven Kitshoff 40'
PR18Frans Malherbe 40'
LK19Lood de Jager 62'
FL20Rynhardt Elstadt 63'
SH21Herschel Jantjies 73'
FH22Elton Jantjies 70'
FB23Damian Willemse 66'
Coach:
Jacques Nienaber
FB15 Stuart Hogg
RW14 Anthony Watson
OC13 Elliot Daly 64' 66'
IC12 Robbie Henshaw
LW11 Duhan van der Merwe 70'
FH10 Dan Biggar 66'
SH9 Ali Price 63'
N88 Jack Conan
OF7 Tom Curry 56'
BF6 Courtney Lawes 72'
RL5 Alun Wyn Jones (c)
LL4 Maro Itoje
TP3 Tadhg Furlong 66'
HK2 Luke Cowan-Dickie 56'
LP1 Rory Sutherland 56'
Replacements:
HK16 Ken Owens 56'
PR17 Mako Vunipola 56'
PR18 Kyle Sinckler 66'
LK19 Tadhg Beirne 72'
FL20 Hamish Watson 56'
SH21 Conor Murray 63'
FH22 Owen Farrell 64'
FB23 Liam Williams 70'
Coach:
Warren Gatland

Player of the Match:
Maro Itoje (British & Irish Lions)[38]

Assistant referees:
Ben O'Keeffe (New Zealand)
Mathieu Raynal (France)
Television match official:
Marius Jonker (South Africa) [lower-alpha 4]

Notes:

South Africa v British & Irish Lions (second test)
31 July 2021
18:00 SAST (UTC+02)
South Africa  27–9 British & Irish Lions
Try: Mapimpi 44' m
Am 60' c
Con: Pollard (1/2) 61'
Pen: Pollard (5/6) 3', 31', 70', 75', 80'
 Report Pen: Biggar (3/4) 9', 16', 36'
Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town
Attendance: 0
Referee: Ben O'Keeffe (New Zealand)
FB15Willie le Roux
RW14Cheslin Kolbe 24' to 34'
OC13Lukhanyo Am
IC12Damian de Allende
LW11Makazole Mapimpi 67'
FH10Handré Pollard
SH9Faf de Klerk 63'
N88Jasper Wiese 55'
BF7Pieter-Steph du Toit 21'
OF6Siya Kolisi (c) 72'
RL5Franco Mostert
LL4Eben Etzebeth
TP3Frans Malherbe 55'
HK2Bongi Mbonambi 55'
LP1Steven Kitshoff 59'
Replacements:
HK16Malcolm Marx 55'
PR17Trevor Nyakane 59'
PR18Vincent Koch 55'
LK19Lood de Jager 55'
FL20Marco van Staden 72'
FL21Kwagga Smith 21'
SH22Herschel Jantjies 63'
FB23Damian Willemse 67'
Coach:
Jacques Nienaber
FB15 Stuart Hogg
RW14 Anthony Watson
OC13 Chris Harris 61'
IC12 Robbie Henshaw
LW11 Duhan van der Merwe 22' to 32'
FH10 Dan Biggar 57'
SH9 Conor Murray 57'
N88 Jack Conan 59'
OF7 Tom Curry
BF6 Courtney Lawes 70'
RL5 Alun Wyn Jones (c)
LL4 Maro Itoje
TP3 Tadhg Furlong 55'
HK2 Luke Cowan-Dickie 55'
LP1 Mako Vunipola 55'
Replacements:
HK16 Ken Owens 55'
PR17 Rory Sutherland 55'
PR18 Kyle Sinckler 55'
LK19 Tadhg Beirne 70'
N820 Taulupe Faletau 59'
SH21 Ali Price 57'
FH22 Owen Farrell 57'
CE23 Elliot Daly 61'
Coach:
Warren Gatland

Player of the Match:
Makazole Mapimpi (South Africa)[41]

Assistant referees:
Nic Berry (Australia)
Mathieu Raynal (France)
Television match official:
Marius Jonker (South Africa)

Notes:

South Africa v British & Irish Lions (third test)
7 August 2021
18:00 SAST (UTC+02)
South Africa  19–16 British & Irish Lions
Try: Kolbe 55' c
Con: Pollard (1/1) 56'
Pen: Pollard (2/4) 11', 35'
Steyn (2/2) 66', 78'
 Report Try: Owens 18' c
Con: Russell (1/1) 20'
Pen: Russell (3/3) 16', 62', 74'
Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town
Attendance: 0
Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France)
FB15Willie le Roux 68'
RW14Cheslin Kolbe
OC13Lukhanyo Am
IC12Damian de Allende
LW11Makazole Mapimpi
FH10Handré Pollard 64'
SH9Cobus Reinach 63'
N88Jasper Wiese 62'
BF7Franco Mostert 12' to 20'
OF6Siya Kolisi (c) 55' 62'
RL5Lood de Jager 52'
LL4Eben Etzebeth
TP3Frans Malherbe 55'
HK2Bongi Mbonambi 55'
LP1Steven Kitshoff 60'
Replacements:
HK16Malcolm Marx 55'
PR17Trevor Nyakane 60'
PR18Vincent Koch 55'
FL19Marco van Staden 55'
FL20Kwagga Smith 12' 20' 52'
SH21Herschel Jantjies 63'
FH22Morné Steyn 64'
FB23Damian Willemse 68'
Coach:
Jacques Nienaber
FB15 Liam Williams
RW14 Josh Adams
OC13 Robbie Henshaw
IC12 Bundee Aki
LW11 Duhan van der Merwe
FH10 Dan Biggar 10'
SH9 Ali Price 58'
N88 Jack Conan 60'
OF7 Tom Curry
BF6 Courtney Lawes
RL5 Alun Wyn Jones (c) 60'
LL4 Maro Itoje
TP3 Tadhg Furlong 58'
HK2 Ken Owens 53'
LP1 Wyn Jones 43'
Replacements:
HK16 Luke Cowan-Dickie 53'
PR17 Mako Vunipola 43'
PR18 Kyle Sinckler 58'
LK19 Adam Beard 60'
N820 Sam Simmonds 60'
SH21 Conor Murray 58'
FH22 Finn Russell 10'
CE23 Elliot Daly
Coach:
Warren Gatland

Player of the Match:
Cheslin Kolbe (South Africa)

Assistant referees:
Ben O'Keeffe (New Zealand)
Nic Berry (Australia)
Television match official:
Marius Jonker (South Africa)

Notes:

Notes
  1. Murray replaced Jones as tour captain after Jones was injured.
  2. Gatland was also an assistant coach in 2009, making this his fourth tour.
  3. South Africa's director of rugby, Rassie Erasmus, coached the South Africa A side in the absence of head coach Jacques Nienaber, who was in isolation after contracting COVID-19.[36]
  4. Replaced New Zealand's Brendon Pickerill for the full test series after Pickerill was unable to travel due to COVID restrictions.[39]

References
  1. Jones, Chris (4 December 2019). "British and Irish Lions: Fixtures announced for 2021 tour of South Africa". BBC Sport. Retrieved 14 May 2021.
  2. Jones, Chris (30 May 2020). "British and Irish Lions: Murrayfield favourite to host home Test before South Africa tour". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
  3. Rees, Paul (25 September 2017). "British & Irish Lions to reduce fixtures for 2021 South Africa tour". The Guardian. Retrieved 25 May 2019.
  4. Rees, Paul (25 September 2017). "Lions to play fewer matches in 2021 South Africa tour". The Irish Times. Retrieved 25 May 2019.
  5. "British & Irish Lions have a 'lucrative' idea to save 2021 tour". Ruck. 3 January 2021. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  6. "Rugby Australia offers to host Lions tour". BBC Sport. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  7. "Australia bid to host Lions tour turned down". BBC Sport. Retrieved 6 March 2021.
  8. "Lions plan for 2021 tour in South Africa". BBC Sport. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
  9. "British and Irish Lions 2021: Schedule for South Africa tour changed to reduce travel". BBC Sport. 14 May 2021. Retrieved 14 May 2021.
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