Test series due to take place in July and August next yearPossible switch to avoid Olympics clash had been discussedConfirmation is expected this week that the 2021
British &
Irish Lions tour of
South Africa will not be moved from its scheduled dates in July and August, with organisers unable to wait any longer for an end to negotiations over the long-term shape of the global calendar.
There had been talk of a possible switch to September and October as part of proposals to amend the existing international window with the rescheduled Tokyo Olympics set to coincide with next summer’s tour dates. However, Lions officials set a deadline of the end of June to finalise their itinerary and are now ready to revert to the original schedule.