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British Lions Tour to South Africa, 2009 Following the November announcement of a 10 match, six week itinerary including 3 tests, the 2009 Lions Tour to South Africa, is already being heralded as the biggest in the history of the combined English, Welsh, Scottish and Irish sides. In 1997, when they were victorious over the Boks by 2 to 1, the Lions benefited from a schedule that saw them play the first 2 Tests at sea level. By the time they went to altitude for the third Test, the series was decided. For the record, Cape Town will be remembered for a great try by Matt Dawson, the next game in Durban decided by a Jeremy Guscott drop goal. In fact the only game lost was against the Blue Bulls in Pretoria. This time the Lions have been granted no favours, with four games in succession at altitude at the start of the tour. The first is against an Invitation Highvelt XV in Rustenburg – this is followed by a midweek match against the Golden Lions in Johannesburg. The pace then steps up, with the tourists facing the Free State Cheetahs, current Currie Cup champions in Bloemfontein before another midweek clash with the Blue Bulls. The Lions then head to Cape Town to play Western Province before tackling a Coastal XV in Port Elizabeth before the first Test at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria. Between this and the second Tests, they have to make the trip back to Cape Town to play the Junior Springboks and then on to Durban. Finally, the series draws to a conclusion with the 3rd Test at Ellis Park in Johannesburg. John Feehan, the Lions chief executive commented:’ All the indications are that this will be the biggest Lions Tour of all. The level of interest is already phenomenal and we estimate that there could be upwards of 50,000 supporters making the trip’. With 35,000 supporters making the trip to New Zealand in 2005, only to see Sir Clive Woodward’s outfit whitewashed, there is considerable pressure for this alliance tour to be a success. A decision about who will coach the Lions will be made after this season’s Six Nations. Lions 2009 itinerary May 30: Highveld XV, Rustenburg Jun 03: Golden Lions, Johannesburg Jun 06: Free Sate Cheetahs, Bloemfontein Jun 10: Blue Bulls, Pretoria Jun 13: Western Province, Cape Town Jun 17: Coastal XV, Port Elizabeth Jun 20: 1st TEST, Pretoria Jun 23: Junior Springboks, Cape Town Jun 27: 2nd TEST, Durban Jul 04: 3rd TEST, Johannesburg |