British and Irish Lions' opening tour opponents Emirates Lions hit by Covid-19 cases

Every match from the British & Irish Lions tour of South Africa will be exclusively live on Sky Sports; fans who don't have Sky will be able to catch all the action via streaming service NOW, which offers day and month passes

By PA Media

Image: British and Irish Lions head coach Warren Gatland is unbeaten in two consecutive tours to Australia and New Zealand

The British and Irish Lions' opening tour opponents in South Africa have been hit by a coronavirus outbreak.

SA Rugby announced that Saturday's PRO14 Rainbow Cup game between the Emirates Lions and DHL Stormers in Cape Town has been cancelled.

It follows positive Covid-19 tests in the Emirates Lions squad and comes just three weeks before the British and Irish Lions tackle them in Johannesburg.

In a statement, SA Rugby said: "The PRO14 Rainbow Cup SA match between the Emirates Lions and DHL Stormers, scheduled for Cape Town Stadium on Saturday, has been cancelled in line with Covid-19 protocols.

"The decision was taken as part of prescribed precautions advised by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases to limit the risk of further infection in the rugby community.

Advertisement

"The decision was triggered on Friday following receipt of positive results from scheduled testing of the Emirates Lions squad.

"As determined by the competition rules, the DHL Stormers will be awarded four log points because of the cancellation."

Also See:

Greenwood's Lions pod: Dr Robson on saving Will's life in 1997

Dr James Robson was the Lions team doctor and physio on six consecutive tours from 1993-2013 and he saved Will's life on the 1997 tour.

SA Rugby chief executive Jurie Roux added: "The Emirates Lions have followed all protocols and taken all the appropriate steps.

"While the cancellation is unfortunate, their approach ensures that the risk of cancellation of their match against the British and Irish Lions in the Castle Lager Lions Series on 3 July is well managed."

The British and Irish Lions assemble early next week ahead of their fixture against Japan in Edinburgh on June 26, before flying to South Africa the following day.

Outbrain