The Lions last toured Australia in 2013 when the Tourists won the Test Series 2-1. Credit: Getty Images/David Rogers
Springbok players look set to have a once-in-a-lifetime chance to play against the British and Irish Lions just four years after the South Africa tour in an unofficial “fourth test match” during the 2025 Australian series.
Hamish McLennan, Chairman of Rugby Australia (RA), confirmed to Telegraph Sport that they are open to the prospect of bringing the South Africans into the Anzac squad against tourists ahead of the first Test against Eddie Jones' wallabies in Brisbane. -15 after a 2-1 win in three Test series against the Wallabies.
But with relations between the two unions currently strained and the All Blacks due to face France in the summer of 2025, the RA has held early talks with its South African counterparts to select a few springboks to support the side to face the lions.
McLennan said the decision would be up to his chief executive Phil Waugh and fellow lions by Ben Calveli.
“Phil Waugh and I were in South Africa two weeks ago and had a great collaboration with Ryan Oberholzer and Mark Alexander,” McLennan told Telegraph Sport.
“We're open to considering bringing some of their players into the team.”
Given that most international players only get the opportunity to play against the Lions once in their career, this prospect is likely to be attractive to the Springboks. Lions should not return to South Africa until 2033.
Their potential participation only adds to the intrigue that McLennan predicts will be “the best Lions tour ever.”
“There is so much unmet demand,” he added. “The tour has all the history as well as a few surprises, and the fourth Anzac-style test is going to be incredible.”
A landmark deal between the Lions and Premiership Rugby, reported by Telegraph Sport in May, has also been confirmed, with the English club's final being pushed back a week to pave the way for the Lions to a pre-tour match, possibly in Dublin or at a staging post on their way to Australia, most likely Japan. The Lions head coach will also be given two weeks to prepare with his team.
The 2025 Lions tour to Australia (start time TBD)
URC, partly owned by the Irish, Scottish and Welsh unions, will also reschedule its final, as it did ahead of the 2021 tour of South Africa.
The Tour kicks off with a traditional game against Western Force in Perth on 28 June 2025 and follows a familiar path, with matches against the Queensland Reds at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on 2 July and then the Waratahs at the Allianz Stadium in Sydney on 5 July. Australia and New Zealand Union team at the Adelaide Oval.
The Lions will also play against the Melbourne Rebels at Marvel Stadium three days after the first test in Brisbane on 19 July before finishing with Test matches on 26 July in Melbourne and 2 August at the 80,000 seat stadium in Sydney.
It is understood that a commercial deal has also been reached for the first time to share a portion of the proceeds from the tour with clubs and players (in addition to tour fees).
The Lions also agreed to engage with Premier League clubs during the 2024-25 season, organizing events with current and former Lions players and helping to promote their final by promoting players and clubs.
Ben Calveli, Executive director of the British and Irish Lions, called it “the most highly anticipated series in history.”
“I want to take this opportunity to thank Rugby Australia for their active collaboration in planning this tour and we look forward to continuing to work with them over the next two years,” Calveli said. “I would also like to thank Premiership Rugby and the United Rugby Championship, whose collaboration has led to the longest tour lead time in recent history, giving us the best chance of winning the series.”
“The British & The Irish Lions brand and organization has never been stronger with a global fan base of approximately 14 million people, a significant following and high level of engagement across our various digital platforms, and a wide range of commercial partners, including some of the largest brands and organizations in the world,” Kalveli added. “Our goal is to strengthen that position and make this upcoming tour the greatest Lions tour ever, positioning it as the premier global sporting event of 2025.”
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