The British and Irish Lions organisers are set to discuss the various options of where to host the South African tour during this week.
Ultimately their decision will be influenced by which option will guarantee the maximum financial success.
The various options to the organisers are:
1) Cancel the tour - This is not an option with SARU Director of Rugby stating that they will even look at option Z to make this tour happen.
2) Tour to South Africa without spectators - This option seems to be a definite no. The financial impact on both South Africa and the UK will be massive. It was previously stated that the tour will not go ahead if spectators are not allowed at the games.
3) Host the spectacle in the UK and Ireland - Currently, spectators are also limited in the UK, which poses the same questions regarding financial viability.
4) Postpone the tour to 2022 - This seems to be a popular option with the only objection raised, the cancellation of internationals in July 2022.
5) Move the tour to Australia - Australian Rugby President Hamish McLennan said to the Sydney Morning Herald “What we learnt from the Tri-Nations last year and the tennis that’s happening now is that Australia can successfully stage global tournaments in a COVID world."
“It’s particularly tough in the UK and South Africa at the moment and I believe the more international rugby that gets played here, the better. We’re here to help.”
The prospect of Australian authorities allowing fans to travel from the Home Nations and South Africa appears remote after Perth, in Western Australia, was put into a five-day lockdown yesterday following its first locally acquired case in 10 months.
Even without travelling supporters, McLennan believes matches would still sell out across the country due to the “multi-generational ex-pat community for both South Africa and the UK” Down Under.
“I’m sure we would get a fantastic turnout,” he added. “The world needs to keep moving in these times.”