Lions Tour 2021: When do the British and Irish Lions play South Africa? Fixtures, full squad and how to watch Lions games

The British and Irish Lions first test against South Africa begins this weekend, and here’s all you need to know about how to catch each game.

The British and Irish Lions will travel to South Africa for this years tour (Photo by Paul Devlin / SNS Group)

The British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa is set to enter the exciting phase this summer as three big tests against the Springboks get ready to commence.

Warren Gatland’s men have now completed their warm up games in Johannesburg and Cape Town and are all set for the main event, with the first game scheduled for July 24.

For fans of Scottish rugby, the tour will be of particular interest with no less than eight Scotland internationals chosen as part of Gatland’s squad, including Scotland hero Stuart Hogg, who was been handed the captaincy ahead of British & Irish Lions in first warm up game.

Duhan van der Merwe (right) in action for Lions during an International Match between the British & Irish Lions and Japan at BT Murrayfield, on June 26, 2021, in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Ross Parker / SNS Group)

The 28-year-old Exeter Chief’s flying captained the British & Irish Lions for the first time on the tour against Emirates Lions.

Hamish Watson, Finn Russell, Chris Harris, Ali Price, Rory Sutherland, Zander Fagerson and Duhan Van Der Merwe are the other Scots in the Lions squad.

The team, who won the 2013 series in Australia before drawing the 2017 series in New Zealand, enjoyed a comfortable 28-10 win against Japan at Murrayfield before the jetting off for the tour and have won four of their five warm up games ahead of the trio of Springboks tests.

It has already been confirmed, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, that no fans will be able to attend the games on the tour, with each match set to be played behind closed doors.

When do the British and Irish Lions play and when is kick off?

July 24 – First Test v Springboks, 17:00 BST – Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town

July 31 – Second Test v Springboks, 17:00 BST – Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town

August 7 – Third Test v Springboks, 17:00 BST – Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town

Where can I watch British and Irish Lions games?

All games will be shown live on Sky Sports, however, for freeview viewers, Channel 4 have confirmed they will also be showing each game.

What is the full British and Irish Lions squad for the South Africa tour?

Backs: Josh Adams (Wales), Bundee Aki (Ireland), Dan Biggar (Wales), Elliot Daly (England), Gareth Davies (Wales), Owen Farrell (England), Chris Harris (Scotland), Robbie Henshaw (Ireland), Stuart Hogg (Scotland), Conor Murray (Ireland), Ali Price (Scotland), Louis Rees-Zammit (Wales), Finn Russell (Scotland), Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland), Anthony Watson (England), Liam Williams (Wales).

Forwards: Adam Beard (Wales), Tadhg Beirne (Ireland), Jack Conan (Ireland), Luke Cowan-Dickie (England), Tom Curry (England), Zander Fagerson (Scotland), Taulupe Faletau (Wales), Tadhg Furlong (Ireland), Jamie George (England), Iain Henderson (Ireland), Jonny Hill (England), Maro Itoje (England), Wyn Jones (Wales), Courtney Lawes (England), Josh Navidi (Wales), Ken Owens (Wales), Sam Simmonds (England), Kyle Sinckler (England), Rory Sutherland (Scotland), Mako Vunipola (England), Hamish Watson (Scotland).

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