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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 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coach(es) |  Warren Gatland | ||||
| Tour captain(s) |  Alun Wyn Jones Conor Murray (temporary)[lower-alpha 1] | ||||
| Top point scorer(s) | Dan Biggar (47) | ||||
| Top try scorer(s) | Josh Adams (8) | ||||
| Summary |
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| Total |
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| Test match |
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| Opponent |
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 South Africa |
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| Tour chronology | |||||
| Previous tour | New Zealand 2017 | ||||
| Next tour | Australia 2025 | ||||
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.
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 |
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-Dickie | Hooker | 20 June 1993 (aged 28) |  England | Exeter Chiefs | 31 | |
| Jamie George | Hooker | 20 October 1990 (aged 30) | England | Saracens | 59 (3) | |
| Rónan Kelleher | Hooker | 24 January 1998 (aged 23) | Ireland | Leinster | 11 | Called up as additional cover |
| Ken Owens | Hooker | 3 January 1987 (aged 34) | Wales | Scarlets | 82 (2) | |
| Zander Fagerson | Prop | 19 January 1996 (aged 25) |  Scotland | Glasgow Warriors | 38 | |
| Tadhg Furlong | Prop | 14 November 1992 (aged 28) | Ireland | Leinster | 49 (3) | |
| Wyn Jones | Prop | 26 February 1992 (aged 29) | Wales | Scarlets | 35 | |
| Andrew Porter | Prop | 16 January 1996 (aged 25) | Ireland | Leinster | 37 | Withdrew due to injury sustained before tour |
| Kyle Sinckler | Prop | 30 March 1993 (aged 28) | England | Bristol Bears | 47 (3) | Replaced Andrew Porter |
| Rory Sutherland | Prop | 24 August 1992 (aged 28) | Scotland | Edinburgh | 16 | |
| Mako Vunipola | Prop | 14 January 1991 (aged 30) | England | Saracens | 67 (6) | |
| Adam Beard | Second row | 7 January 1996 (aged 25) | Wales | Ospreys | 25 | Replaced Alun Wyn Jones |
| Tadhg Beirne | Second row | 8 January 1992 (aged 29) | Ireland | Munster | 22 | |
| Iain Henderson | Second row | 21 February 1992 (aged 29) | Ireland | Ulster | 63 | |
| Jonny Hill | Second row | 8 June 1994 (aged 27) | England | Exeter Chiefs | 9 | |
| Maro Itoje | Second row | 28 October 1994 (aged 26) | England | Saracens | 48 (3) | |
| Alun Wyn Jones (c) | Second row | 19 September 1985 (aged 35) | Wales | Ospreys | 148 (9) | Missed three weeks of the tour due to injury |
| Courtney Lawes | Second row | 23 February 1989 (aged 32) | England | Northampton Saints | 87 (2) | |
| Jack Conan | Back row | 29 July 1992 (aged 28) | Ireland | Leinster | 20 | |
| Tom Curry | Back row | 15 June 1998 (aged 23) | England | Sale Sharks | 33 | |
| Taulupe Faletau | Back row | 12 November 1990 (aged 30) | Wales | Bath | 86 (4) | |
| Josh Navidi | Back row | 30 December 1990 (aged 30) | Wales | Cardiff Blues | 28 | Replaced Justin Tipuric |
| Sam Simmonds | Back row | 10 November 1994 (aged 26) | England | Exeter Chiefs | 7 | |
| Justin Tipuric | Back row | 6 August 1989 (aged 31) | Wales | Ospreys | 85 (1) | Withdrew due to injury sustained during tour |
| Hamish Watson | Back row | 15 October 1991 (aged 29) | Scotland | Edinburgh | 41 | |
| Gareth Davies | Scrum-half | 18 August 1990 (aged 30) | Wales | Scarlets | 62 | |
| Conor Murray (c) | Scrum-half | 20 April 1989 (aged 32) | Ireland | Munster | 89 (5) | Replaced Alun Wyn Jones as tour captain[23] |
| Ali Price | Scrum-half | 12 May 1993 (aged 28) | Scotland | Glasgow Warriors | 42 | |
| Dan Biggar | Fly-half | 16 October 1989 (aged 31) | Wales | Northampton Saints | 92 | |
| Owen Farrell | Fly-half | 24 September 1991 (aged 29) | England | Saracens | 93 (4) | |
| Finn Russell | Fly-half | 23 September 1992 (aged 28) | Scotland | Racing 92 | 55 | |
| Marcus Smith | Fly-half | 14 February 1999 (aged 22) | England | Harlequins | 2 | Called up as injury cover for Finn Russell |
| Bundee Aki | Centre | 7 April 1990 (aged 31) | Ireland | Connacht | 31 | |
| Elliot Daly | Centre | 8 October 1992 (aged 28) | England | Saracens | 52 (3) | |
| Chris Harris | Centre | 28 December 1990 (aged 30) | Scotland | Gloucester | 28 | |
| Robbie Henshaw | Centre | 12 June 1993 (aged 28) | Ireland | Leinster | 52 | |
| Josh Adams | Wing | 21 April 1995 (aged 26) | Wales | Cardiff Blues | 32 | |
| Louis Rees-Zammit | Wing | 2 February 2001 (aged 20) | Wales | Gloucester | 9 | |
| Duhan van der Merwe | Wing | 4 June 1995 (aged 26) | Scotland | Edinburgh | 10 | |
| Anthony Watson | Wing | 26 February 1994 (aged 27) | England | Bath | 51 (3) | |
| Stuart Hogg | Full back | 24 June 1992 (aged 29) | Scotland | Exeter Chiefs | 85 | |
| Liam Williams | Full back | 9 April 1991 (aged 30) | Wales | Scarlets | 71 (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 |
| Head of Communications | Tim Percival | England |
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]
- Head coach:
Jacques Nienaber - Forwards coach: Deon Davids
- Backs coach: Mzwandile Stick
- Assistant coach:
Felix Jones - Assistant coach: Daan Human
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 | 25 October 1995 (aged 25) | 0 |  Bordeaux Bègles |
| Malcolm Marx | Hooker | 13 July 1994 (aged 27) | 34 |  Kubota Spears |
| Fez Mbatha | Hooker | 2 August 1999 (aged 21) | 0 | Sharks |
| Bongi Mbonambi | Hooker | 7 January 1991 (aged 30) | 37 | Stormers |
| Scarra Ntubeni | Hooker | 18 February 1991 (aged 30) | 1 | Stormers |
| Thomas du Toit | Prop | 5 May 1995 (aged 26) | 12 | Sharks |
| Lizo Gqoboka | Prop | 24 March 1990 (aged 31) | 2 | Bulls |
| Steven Kitshoff | Prop | 10 February 1992 (aged 29) | 48 | Stormers |
| Vincent Koch | Prop | 13 March 1990 (aged 31) | 21 | Saracens |
| Frans Malherbe | Prop | 14 March 1991 (aged 30) | 39 | Stormers |
| Ox Nché | Prop | 23 July 1995 (aged 26) | 2 | Sharks |
| Trevor Nyakane | Prop | 4 May 1989 (aged 32) | 43 | Bulls |
| Coenie Oosthuizen | Prop | 22 March 1989 (aged 32) | 30 | Sale Sharks |
| Lood de Jager | Lock | 17 December 1992 (aged 28) | 45 | Sale Sharks |
| Eben Etzebeth | Lock | 29 October 1991 (aged 29) | 86 | Toulon |
| Nico Janse van Rensburg | Lock | 6 May 1994 (aged 27) | 0 | Montpellier |
| Franco Mostert | Lock | 27 November 1990 (aged 30) | 40 | Honda Heat |
| Marvin Orie | Lock | 2 June 1993 (aged 27) | 4 | Stormers |
| RG Snyman | Lock | 29 January 1995 (aged 26) | 23 | Munster |
| Dan du Preez | Loose forward | 5 August 1995 (aged 26) | 4 | Sale Sharks |
| Jean-Luc du Preez | Loose forward | 5 August 1995 (aged 25) | 13 | Sale Sharks |
| Pieter-Steph du Toit | Loose forward | 20 August 1992 (aged 28) | 56 | Stormers |
| Rynhardt Elstadt | Loose forward | 20 December 1989 (aged 31) | 2 | Toulouse |
| Siya Kolisi (c) | Loose forward | 16 June 1991 (aged 30) | 51 | Sharks |
| Kwagga Smith | Loose forward | 11 June 1996 (aged 25) | 7 | Yamaha Júbilo |
| Marco van Staden | Loose forward | 25 August 1995 (aged 25) | 3 | Bulls |
| Duane Vermeulen | Loose forward | 3 July 1986 (aged 35) | 54 | Bulls |
| Jasper Wiese | Loose forward | 21 October 1995 (aged 25) | 1 | Leicester Tigers |
| Faf de Klerk | Scrum-half | 19 October 1991 (aged 29) | 30 | Sale Sharks |
| Herschel Jantjies | Scrum-half | 22 April 1996 (aged 25) | 11 | Stormers |
| Sanele Nohamba | Scrum-half | 19 January 1999 (aged 22) | 0 | Sharks |
| Cobus Reinach | Scrum-half | 7 February 1990 (aged 31) | 15 | Montpellier |
| Elton Jantjies | Fly-half | 1 August 1990 (aged 30) | 38 | Pau |
| Handré Pollard | Fly-half | 11 March 1994 (aged 27) | 49 | Montpellier |
| Morné Steyn | Fly-half | 11 July 1984 (aged 37) | 66 | Bulls |
| Lukhanyo Am | Centre | 28 November 1993 (aged 27) | 15 | Sharks |
| Damian de Allende | Centre | 25 November 1991 (aged 29) | 47 | Munster |
| Jesse Kriel | Centre | 15 February 1994 (aged 27) | 47 | Canon Eagles |
| Wandisile Simelane | Centre | 21 March 1998 (aged 23) | 0 | Lions |
| François Steyn | Centre | 14 May 1987 (aged 34) | 68 | Cheetahs |
| Cheslin Kolbe | Wing | 28 October 1993 (aged 27) | 14 | Toulouse |
| Makazole Mapimpi | Wing | 26 July 1990 (aged 30) | 14 | Sharks |
| Sbu Nkosi | Wing | 21 January 1996 (aged 25) | 11 | Sharks |
| Yaw Penxe | Wing | 3 April 1997 (aged 24) | 0 | Sharks |
| Rosko Specman | Wing | 28 April 1989 (aged 32) | 1 | Cheetahs |
| Aphelele Fassi | Fullback | 23 January 1998 (aged 23) | 1 | Sharks |
| Willie le Roux | Fullback | 18 August 1989 (aged 31) | 62 | Toyota Verblitz |
| Damian Willemse | Fullback | 7 May 1998 (aged 23) | 7 | Stormers |
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] The British & Irish Lions Board determined that this fixture was not a Lions Test match, but classed it as an international fixture.[31] Despite not being classed as Test match, every Lion received an international cap and each debutant awarded a Lions number.[31]
| 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' |
| Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh Attendance: 16,500 Referee: Pascal Gaüzère (France) |
| Team details | |
|---|---|
Notes:
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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' |
| Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg Attendance: 0 Referee: AJ Jacobs (South Africa) |
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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' |
| Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg Attendance: 0 Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa) |
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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' |
| Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria Attendance: 0 Referee: Wayne Barnes (England) |
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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' |
| Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town Attendance: 0 Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa) |
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Notes
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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' |
| Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town Attendance: 0 Referee: Wayne Barnes (England) |
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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' |
| Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town Attendance: 0 Referee: Nic Berry (Australia) |
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Player of the Match:
Assistant referees:
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Notes:
- Wyn Jones (British & Irish Lions) was originally named in the starting XV, but withdrew ahead of the game due to injury. He was replaced by Rory Sutherland, who was replaced by Mako Vunipola on the bench.[41]
- Tadhg Beirne, Dan Biggar, Tom Curry, Jack Conan, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Robbie Henshaw, Stuart Hogg, Ali Price, Rory Sutherland, Duhan van der Merwe and Hamish Watson all made their Lions test debuts.
- Handré Pollard (South Africa) earned his 50th test cap.
- With Stuart Hogg, Duhan van der Merwe, Ali Price and Rory Sutherland in the starting line-up, this match represented the first time since 2005 that any Scottish player started a British & Irish Lions test match, and the most Scottish players named in starting line-up since 1989.
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) |
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Player of the Match:
Assistant referees:
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Notes:
- Steven Kitshoff (South Africa) earned his 50th test cap.
- Chris Harris made his Lions test debut.[43]
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) |
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Player of the Match:
Assistant referees:
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Notes:
- Damian de Allende (South Africa) earned his 50th test cap.[44]
- Josh Adams, Bundee Aki, Adam Beard, Wyn Jones, Finn Russell and Sam Simmonds all made their Lions test debuts.[45]
- 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.[37]
- Replaced New Zealand's Brendon Pickerill for the full test series after Pickerill was unable to travel due to COVID restrictions.[40]
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