Treble UK assists Qatar Airways to secure title rights to the Qatar Airways Cup

One of global rugby’s greatest rivalries – the Springboks vs All Blacks – will be reignited at Twickenham in London on Friday 25 August with the two nations playing for a brand-new trophy, the Qatar Airways Cup.

The match marks the first clash between the two teams at Twickenham since the 2015 Rugby World Cup semi-final, and the Treble UK team are delighted to have assisted Qatar Airways in securing and shaping the inaugural Qatar Airways Cup.

Treble Group UK Managing Director, Mr Kyle Nel, is proud to see the fruition of these dynamic partnership that showcases two of the world’s biggest rugby brands. “After strategically advising and assisting Qatar Airways to enter the Global Rugby market through their United Rugby Championship and European Professional Club Rugby partnerships, Treble UK identified and assisted Qatar Airways to secure and shape the Qatar Airways Cup, said Mr Nel.

“The timing, venue and history of this fixture all added to strategic thinking,” Mr Nel added. “In addition, the supporters’ response with Twickenham being almost sold out, and the match being broadcast across all key rugby territories confirm the interest. We wish both teams every success for the Qatar Airways Cup, and the coming months of world-class international rugby.

With Qatar Airways as title sponsors of this fixture, rugby fans from South Africa, New Zealand, the UK and around the world have the perfect means to attend this compelling match-up.

The seven-time winner of the “World’s Best Airline” as voted by Skytrax will take centre stage as the match naming rights partner.

Qatar Airways can facilitate the movement of rugby fans all over the world to watch their favourite teams compete. The airline flies to more than 160 destinations, including Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg in South Africa.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr Akbar Al Baker, said: “Qatar Airways is honoured to be the title sponsor and naming rights partner for this match at Twickenham Stadium, hosting one the greatest rivalries in competitive sports history.

“The South African and New Zealand teams are giants in the world of rugby and we are excited to be part of this journey, while uniting the fans before the start of the world cup.

“Qatar Airways has a long history of supporting global sports, including rugby, Formula 1 and football. We believe in bringing people from all over the world closer together through travel and sport and are proud to continue the expansion of our sports partnership’s portfolio.”

 

BWT Alpine F1 Team Partnership with Ecowatt

The Treble Group UK is proud of this new multi-year strategic partnership with Ecowatt, an investment company developing renewable energy assets and funding social impact projects.

The Ecowatt brand identity is visible on Alpine’s 2023 challenger – the A523 – in the current FIA Formula 1 World Championship season as well as on the drivers’ and race team’s overalls at all Grands Prix events in 2023.

Otmar Szafnauer, BWT Alpine F1 Team, Team Principal: “Our partnership with Ecowatt is a long-term project with ambitious targets set to reduce our carbon footprint and fast-track to net-zero emissions. We are thrilled to have Ecowatt on board.”

Ecowatt CEO Thomas Puskas: “Both Ecowatt and Alpine have continuous, rapid innovation in their DNA, so we look forward to working closely with their incredible development teams to pioneer meaningful and measurable change on the No.1 issue facing the planet.”

Treble Group UK Managing Director, Kyle Nel, looks forward to seeing the growth of this new partnership: “We are delighted to have brought this new strategic partnership to fruition. The BWT Alpine F1 Team’s is an impressive professional set-up with several world leading aspects to their business and I am sure we’ll see the same with Ecowatt’s partnership.”

About Ecowatt

Ecowatt develops and operates renewable energy power plants of varying sizes and capacities around the world, essentially increasing the much-needed supply of clean energy and carbon avoidance projects.

An addition, Ecowatt carefully selects and funds social impact projects which are holistic and sustainable. By leveraging innovative technologies, they will democratize access to green energy investment opportunities. https://ecowatt.io/

About BWT Alpine F1 Team

BWT Alpine F1 Team competes in the FIA Formula One World Championship with race winners Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly. Led by Team Principal Otmar Szafnauer, the team finished fourth in the 2022 Constructors’ Championship as it continues its quest to reach the pinnacle of Formula 1.

Led by CEO Laurent Rossi, Alpine is the French-style sports car brand founded in 1955 by Jean Rédélé and is now the dedicated brand for innovative, authentic and exclusive sports cars of the Renault Group. A wider Business Unit allows Alpine to benefit from the heritage and know-how of its historic Dieppe factory and the engineering expertise of BWT Alpine F1 Team, Alpine Racing and Alpine Cars teams.

Southampton Football Club announces Ecowatt as Official Training Kit Partner

The Treble Group UK is delighted to announce that Ecowatt – a blockchain-powered renewable energy company – has joined forces with Southampton Football Club as their Official Training Kit Partner for the remainder of the 2022/2023 season.

The Treble Group UK facilitated in brokering the partnership, which will see the Ecowatt brand emblazoned on the Men’s First Team, B Team and Women’s First Team training kits, and will be making an appearance for the first time at the Men’s English Premier League clash against Newcastle United on Saturday.

Ecowatt buys and builds renewable power stations to expand the supply rapidly, whilst simultaneously funding projects that are key drivers in removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

The innovative green investment platform has two main portfolios: The Green Asset portfolio and the Impact Portfolio.

Within the near future, through leveraging innovative technologies such as blockchain and tokens, Ecowatt will make investing in sustainable energy solutions accessible and profitable for everyone.

Southampton Football Club is on a mission to be Carbon Neutral by 2030. The club was recently shortlisted for the inaugural BBC Sports Green Awards for the work they have been doing around their sustainability strategy, ‘The Halo Effect’, which saw them rise from 18th to 3rd in the Sports Positive Premier League sustainability table.

As part of the partnership, Southampton FC and Ecowatt will work on a joint project together to help the club reduce its overall carbon emissions, with more details to be announced soon.

Sarah Batters, Director of Partnerships and Marketing for Southampton Football Club said: “We are proud to be partnering with Ecowatt, an organisation which understands the issues around climate change and is making it easy, fast, and convenient for anyone to contribute to climate action in whatever way they can.

“As a club we are fully committed to ensuring a sustainable future for our fans and community, so we support Ecowatt’s mission, and we look forward to working together throughout the season to better our planet.”

Thomas Puskas, Founder & CEO of Ecowatt said: “We believe that innovative investment will save the world. We are thrilled to work with this club which has such a genuine and meaningful commitment towards becoming more sustainable and we’re looking forward to accelerating the change with them”

Lauren Haworth, Global Marketing Director of Ecowatt said: “this partnership gets to the heart of what real branding is really about, authentic collaborations between brands that share similar values. We are so excited to work with Southampton, and together we can make a real tangible difference through more sustainability initiatives that benefit the club, the fans and the planet.”

To find out more about Ecowatt click here

 

About Southampton Football Club 

Southampton Football Club is a professional football club that plays in the Premier League, the top tier of English football.

Based in Hampshire, on England’s south coast, the club plays its home games in the 32,000 capacity St Mary’s Stadium, a stone’s throw from St Mary’s Church, where the club was formed in 1885.

Nicknamed ‘The Saints’, the club’s proudest moment came in 1976 when they beat Manchester United 1-0 in the FA Cup Final at Wembley Stadium.

After a seven-year absence, the club returned to the Premier League in 2012 following successive promotions from League One and the Championship. Having been named one of the world’s fastest-growing football club brands in 2015, the club went on to achieve its highest-ever Premier League finish of sixth in 2016 to secure European qualification for a second consecutive season.

Proud of its 136-year heritage, but constantly moving forward, the club is renowned for doing things differently and using its strong set of guiding principles to turn potential into excellence, both on and off the pitch.

 

Qatar Partners with United Rugby Championship

The Treble UK office is proud to share that Qatar Airways has announced its newest sport partnership as the Official Airline Partner of the BKT United Rugby Championship (Vodacom URC in South Africa) and Official South African Airline Partner for European Professional Club Rugby.

The World’s Best Airline, known for supporting sports globally, has entered into multi-year agreements with three top rugby organisations in recognition of the growth and passion demonstrated by rugby fans in key travel markets across Western Europe and South Africa.

Treble Group UK MD, Kyle Nel, and his team played a vital role in helping push this partnership to realisation. Professional and tenacious the whole way through, that realisation will stand this burgeoning competition in good stead as it continues to grow exponentially.

The BKT United Rugby Championship (URC) is one of three major professional rugby leagues in Europe, involving teams from Ireland, Italy, Scotland, Wales and now South Africa. The most successful teams from each league also go on to compete in the Heineken Champions Cup and the EPCR Challenge Cup against teams from the domestic leagues in England and France. For the first time in history both competitions, organised by EPCR, will include South African teams.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “At Qatar Airways, we bring the world and communities together – through travel, of course, but also through sport. Today, we continue that mission by providing greater access to fans to watch their favourite teams compete, and supporting URC players and coaches and South African teams competing in EPCR competitions as they make cross-hemisphere trips via Doha to match destinations.”

The three-year partnership kicked-off today with a celebration at Hamad International Airport in Doha. Inside the Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Class Lounge, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker was joined by Martin Anayi, Chief Executive Officer of the URC, Anthony Lepage, Chief Executive Officer of the EPCR, Mark Alexander, President of the South Africa Rugby Union, Ali Price, scrum-half of the Glasgow Warriors and Johan Goosen, full-back of the Vodacom Bulls, to commemorate the partnership.

Martin Anayi, chief executive officer of the United Rugby Championship, said: “Our league has greatly broadened its horizons in the past 12 months and we are honoured that Qatar Airways have become one of our key partners. Travel is at the heart of all of our competitions and this partnership will allow us to tap into the incredible expertise and knowledge available at Qatar Airways as they support our teams and fans on their journeys to some of the biggest games of the season.”

Qatar Airways are also partnering with SA Rugby as an associate sponsor of the competition in the southern hemisphere and their involvement was welcomed by Jurie Roux, Chief Executive Officer of SA Rugby: “I have no doubt that Doha will become a very familiar and welcoming staging post for all our teams and staff. We are delighted to welcome Qatar to the family and to share this amazing new rugby journey literally and figuratively with them over the coming years.”

Anthony Lepage, Chief Executive Officer of EPCR, added: “We are very pleased to welcome Qatar Airways as our South African Airline Partner and enter into this partnership alongside the URC. As we welcome five South African clubs into the Heineken Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup, the support from Qatar Airways will be key in helping players and coaches travel to face new competition from clubs in England and France. We are entering a new global phase of our competitions and Qatar Airways will play a key part in delivering the pinnacle of club rugby competitions to more audiences than ever before.

As part of the partnership, Qatar Airways will support the BKT URC (URC) and EPRC grow the game globally and will soon be offering URC all-inclusive Travel Packages with Flights, hotels and match tickets. Rugby is one of the fastest growing sports in the United States and across Africa, Asia and the Middle East for both men and women.

Adding the BKT United Rugby Championship (URC) and European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) to its already extensive sports portfolio solidifies Qatar Airways as a brand committed to supporting sport across the globe. Qatar Airways is a leading global football supporter including FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, Paris Saint-Germain, FC Bayern München, Concacaf, CONMEBOL. Additionally, Qatar Airways is the official airline of The Ironman and Ironman 70.3 Triathlon Series, GKA Kite World Tour and multiple equestrianism, padel, squash and tennis events.

Feast of International Rugby League Returns

After nearly three years without top class international Rugby League in England due to the Covid-19 pandemic, fans can finally enjoy a feast of Rugby League action at Headingley Stadium this Autumn kicking off with a historic clash between Leeds Rhinos and New Zealand on Saturday 8th October, kick off 6pm.

With their unique knowledge of the oval ball game, the Treble Group UK were at the forefront of facilitating and securing this historic and exciting clash, which is a pre-cursor to the Rugby League World Cup to be staged in England this coming October.

The match continues a rich tradition of games between the two sides that dates back to the first ever touring side, the All Golds back in 1907. The match will be 115 years since Leeds and the All Golds met at Headingley for the first time on 26th October 1907. Three months later, Rugby League’s first ever Test was also hosted by Headingley with the Northern Union winning 14-6 on 25th January 1908.

Commenting on the clash, New Zealand Chief Executive Gary Hetherington said: “To have been granted a game against one of our great Test playing nations is a huge honour and a privilege for Leeds Rhinos. International Rugby League is the pinnacle of our sport, and it has been sorely missed over the last three years due to the global pandemic.

Our last meeting back in 2015 was a real ‘I was there’ moment with a number of former players making guest appearances including Ali Lauitiiti and Adrian Morley playing their final games as part of the occasion and I am sure we will have some surprises in store nearer the time. I would also like to thank the Treble Group UK for their role in facilitating the game,” added Hetherington.

Treble Group UK Managing Director, Kyle Nel, is excited about playing an integral role in delivering International Rugby League action to the Leeds fans – known for their deep love of the sport – and ensuring that the buildup to the Rugby League World Cup gets the recognition it deserves.

“As the excitement builds towards the Rugby League World Cup, a high-profile match between the Leeds Rhinos and the might of New Zealand at a historic rugby league venue like Headingly is a fitting celebration of the sport on the eve of its marque World Cup event.

“On behalf of the Treble Group UK team, we wish all our partners great renewed success as this big clash offers a unique moment in the sport for increased exposure and unlimited opportunities to grow the Rugby League World Cup, its traditions, and a new era of the game itself,” Nel said.

Vodacom secure SA title sponsorship for URC

The bold new world of the United Rugby Championship will fly under the banner of Vodacom following the announcement today that the African communications giant has dialled in as South African title sponsor for the new tournament for the next four years.

In South Africa the competition will be known as the Vodacom United Rugby Championship, which kicks off on 24 September as the North and South collide in what promises to be an intriguing and spectacular new global rugby competition.

Vodacom continue their long association with top-flight franchise rugby in South Africa with a new-look competition that will feature 16 teams from five countries, battling it out over 144 matches to reach the eight-team play-offs in a season that will extend over eight months until the final in June.

“The United Rugby Championship heralds an exciting new era for South African rugby that will bring us closer to our friends in the northern hemisphere, and we’re delighted to confirm our long-standing partner, Vodacom, as the title sponsor in the southern hemisphere,” said Jurie Roux, CEO of SA Rugby.

“This is an exciting new venture and promises to deliver international club rugby of the highest standard that will benefit South African rugby in the long run and it was typical of Vodacom’s vision that they didn’t hesitate in taking the opportunity to partner with us.

“We’ve been exposed to club rugby from the north for a while now, but the Vodacom United Rugby Championship is a bold step into a brand-new era of franchise rugby for South Africa, in a competition that will reshape the global game.

“The possibilities for the future reflect a gear shift for rugby in South Africa as well as on the north-south axis. As we’ve seen with the recent British & Irish Lions tour, our teams will be facing some of the best players in the world, testing their skills against some of the strongest club sides and going toe-to-toe with master tacticians on a weekly basis.”

<< WATCH THE LAUNCH VIDEO HERE >>

Michelle van Eyden, Head of Sponsorship at Vodacom, said: “Since 1996, when our involvement with Vodacom Super Rugby began, top-flight rugby featuring the best teams with the world’s best players has been ingrained into Vodacom’s DNA.

“As world rugby moved from the amateur to professional era and then into a time of incredible global growth, Vodacom has supported the game’s journey at every step.

“The Vodacom United Rugby Championship is yet another evolution of our proud association with the very best that rugby has to offer, and we look forward to again providing the platform upon which a new era of north-south competition can set a new benchmark in excellence for the game.”

The new Vodacom United Rugby Championship will be divided into four pools – a South African Pool, Irish Pool (Leinster, Munster, Ulster, Connacht), Welsh Pool (Ospreys, Cardiff, Scarlets, Dragons) and Scotland-Italy Pool (Benetton, Edinburgh, Zebre, Glasgow).

Each team will play 18 regular season games – nine at home and nine away – and all the sides will face each other at least once during the league phase of the competition, which will include double-rounds of local derbies before the top eight teams qualify for the playoffs.

Martin Anayi, CEO of United Rugby Championship, said: “We have the best European clubs in our league, and they as well as their fans are all very aware that we’re now bringing in the South African teams that basically feed the world champion Springboks.

“They will be bringing their own brand of big players, strong runner and high-intensity rugby and there is tremendous excitement about that.

“We have a team like Leinster who have been European champions so many times, and they were foremost in campaigning for the South African teams to join so that it can challenge them and continue to raise the overall standard.”

Introducing Treble Group UK

Over the last 21 years, Treble has cultivated an immense degree of experience as a strategic marketing agency specialising in sports sponsorship, rights commercialisation, experiential events, brand activation and communications for leading global brands across multiple sporting codes.

This has enabled Treble to build and grow long-term relationships within the sporting industry, which has seen Treble championing the rightsholders and brands we represent – ensuring we build and manage long-term partnerships that deliver value for the parties involved.

Treble (SA) is excited about the launch of Treble (UK) – a separate business based in the United Kingdom. Treble (UK) will leverage Treble (SA)’s experience, expertise, and where required, business capability to support the establishment of the new business.

The Treble (UK) Executive team are very enthusiastic about building a sports marketing agency with a unique value proposition. The Treble (UK) Executive team has solid global experience, having held senior positions at rights holder, corporate and sports marketing agencies.

Keith Harris, Kyle Nel, Mark Smith and Ben Milhench will be heading up the UK offices. The team bring a wealth of international and professional sports marketing experience that covers Formula One, Football, Rugby, Golf, Pro-Cycling, the Olympics and Esports.

Treble Group’s Managing Director, Kyle Nel, is pleased by this new business development. “We have been wanting to establish the business for a few years now, and feel the timing is right to enter the market. The collective experience, expertise and relationships of this Treble (UK) Executive Team brings to the business is truly exciting,” says Nel.

“This team has held senior positions for rightsholders, brands and agencies. I know what we have achieved in South Africa, and the vision, experience and expertise from this UK Executive team is very impressive. I am confident that by building trust and most importantly focusing on delivery, the Treble (UK) team will add value and build a world-class business,” added Nel.

Prescient Freedom Paddle

The Treble Team is proud to announce that Prescient remains firmly committed to the eagerly anticipated 2021 Prescient Freedom Paddle, which is set to take place later this month on Freedom Day (27 April).

Now in its fourth year the Treble-owned property, in which sponsorship, event management, marketing and operations of the Prescient Freedom Paddle are fully managed by our award-winning team, sees competitors paddling 27kms around the iconic Robben Island – a symbol of South Africa’s triumph of democracy and freedom.

We are excited that this partnership, which was exclusively brokered by the Treble Group in 2020, has seen us being awarded the added value of a leveraging budget to deliver the sponsorship and association with the Prescient Freedom Paddle brand.

This includes delivering world-class brand activations for Prescient that will serve to enhance their client’s experience on event day, while also working with traditional media services to champion the Prescient brand within the competitive paddling arena.

“After the immense success of the event in 2020 after a postponement from April to October in 2020 and the inclement weather on the day, which resulted in a 5-hour delay in the start paddle race. Approximately 250 paddlers were in their surfskis at the start line. At Prescient, we resonate with the paddler’s perseverance and commitment for success,” said Wisahl Ganief, Head of Marketing at Prescient.

Prescient’s core values align with the resilience and team comradery required for competitive paddling.  Ultimately, Prescient is about partnerships, which has underpinned every aspect of their business since its humble beginnings over two decades ago.

While their global footprint has expanded, their focus remains as concentrated as ever: to deliver maximum value for their clients and leverage their expertise, experience and innovation to help secure the certainty of success their clients desire, even in uncertain times.

Treble welcomes Wimpy’s LSA Sponsorship renewal

The Treble team is delighted to announce that Wimpy has renewed its existing partnership as national associate sponsor to Lifesaving South Africa (LSA). In line with the family brand’s motto, “Enjoy every moment,” Wimpy will continue to partner with LSA to assist the lifesaving family in saving lives.

The Treble Group, which facilitated the initial partnership in 2019 between LSA and Wimpy, played an integral role in the renewal process. Treble Group MD, Kyle Nel, is looking forward to seeing the lifesaving community grow from strength to strength: “I am very excited about building on this existing relationship. LSA is a voluntary institution built on communities and families enjoying a healthy outdoor lifestyle on our beautiful coastlines and inland waterways.

“Wimpy epitomises these values by focusing on bringing families together, while also supporting a valuable cause that affects all South African communities in terms of water safety and saving lives. The renewal represents a major boost to LSA in their efforts to ensure water safety throughout South Africa, and while the COVID-19 pandemic has come with its unprecedented challenges, this partnership serves as an acknowledgement of the selfless work done by the lifesaving volunteers. I wish both LSA and Wimpy every success in this continued partnership,” added Nel.

Wimpy’s sponsorship renewal sees their famous and well-loved brand continuing to support the three main pillars of Lifesaving South Africa, voluntary water safety, the Watersmart education program and Lifesaving SA Champs, which is expected to take place from 2-9 October in Gqeberha, formerly known as Port Elizabeth.

There will also be a greater reach for learners with LSA’s school Watersmart Program, which is vital in creating awareness amongst the youth around water safety to reduce drowning in South Africa and one of LSA’s most important objectives in ensuring South Africa’s beautiful coastlines, inland waterways and public swimming areas are safe for all South Africans.

“As a family brand, Wimpy is committed to ensuring that special memories created amongst families across South African beaches are happy and safe memories, under the caring eye of our volunteer lifeguards. By also partnering with the Watersmart education programme, it ensures the communities we serve, are better informed and skilled as to how to interact with water allowing for the creation of greater happy moments,” said Jacques Cronje, Marketing Manager, Famous Brands.

“Lifesaving South Africa welcomes the renewal of the relationship with Wimpy in our efforts to prevent drowning.  The brands of Lifesaving SA and Wimpy are synonymous with family and healthy and safe recreation. Our core mission is to channel massive efforts of energy to ensure that our young nippers and micro nippers, at all of our voluntary clubs, are taught to be water safe and competent in and around water bodies and to ensure they understand the risks and are able to mitigate those risks. Moving into the schools and communities, we view this partnership in taking our #WaterSmart campaign to greater scales to ensure that water safety reaches every vulnerable child and home,” said Dhaya Sewduth, Lifesaving South Africa President.

“While the COVID-19 pandemic has come with unprecedented challenges, this partnership serves as an acknowledgement of the selfless work performed by the volunteer lifeguards and their ever-present vigilance and watchfulness, so that one’s guard is not dropped. We are confident that the partnership with Wimpy will go a long way in promoting a safe, healthy and exciting lifestyle. For that we are grateful for the Wimpy sponsorship,” he concluded.

Treble and Lifesaving South Africa welcomes the ongoing support from Wimpy – a well-loved family brand that shares our passion for water safety to keep all communities in South Africa safe.

B&I Lions tour to SA confirmed

SA Rugby and the British & Irish Lions confirmed on Tuesday that they were aligned on delivering the Castle Lager Lions Series in South Africa in the scheduled playing window.

The Lions Board confirmed its preference to SA Rugby on Monday evening, prior to follow-up meetings earlier today.

“After reviewing information relating to the various contingency scenarios being considered, I can confirm that the Board’s intended position is for the Tour to go ahead as scheduled in South Africa in 2021,” said Mr Jason Leonard, Chairman of The British & Irish Lions.

“We acknowledge that there is a significant amount of work still to be undertaken to deliver a robust COVID-19 countermeasure plan to ensure a successful, safe and uninterrupted Tour. SA Rugby will have our full support to help implement this plan.”

Mr Mark Alexander, President of the South African Rugby Union, said he would inform the Executive Council of SA Rugby of the alignment.

“We appreciate the Lions’ faith and share their desire to see a safe and successful tour,” said Mr Alexander.

“We have been in regular contact with our government to make that a reality against the backdrop of the pandemic and its predicted progression over the coming months.

“There are serious financial implications for SA Rugby, should the event take place without any supporters in attendance, and we cannot ignore that in our considerations. But we are determined that the eventual outcome will deliver the best occasion and experience for players, supporters and our commercial partners.”

Mr Alexander said that the original tour schedule was subject to review because of those considerations. Should any changes be required they will be communicated as soon as possible.

SA Rugby assured everyone who had purchased tickets through the ticket ballot or as part of the official hospitality programme that they would be entitled to a full refund, with the mechanic to be communicated in due course once any revised schedule was confirmed.

Those who had bought official travel packages through SA Rugby Travel would be contacted by a company representative in due course.

Mr Leonard added: “Every British and Irish player dreams of wearing the famous red jersey, and players from the southern hemisphere aspire to be part of a Lions series. We owe it to the current players vying for a place in both squads to ensure they can become part of Lions history.

“We are very much looking forward to taking on South Africa for what promises to be a highly-competitive Series against the reigning World Champions.”

Mr Alexander thanked the Castle Lager Lions Series’ commercial partners as well as the British & Irish Lions and ticket holders for their patience during the extended period of uncertainty.

“As hosts and ‘owners’ of the Castle Lager Lions Series no one has been more affected or more challenged by the current circumstances than SA Rugby,” said Mr Alexander.

“However, with the support of our government and good planning we can navigate the pandemic to nonetheless create a most memorable event for players, fans and partners.”

The British & Irish Lions have toured South Africa on 13 previous occasions, with the first Tour taking place in 1891. In that time, the Lions have won four Test series, lost eight with one drawn. Their overall record against the Springboks is played 46, won 17, lost 23 and drawn six.

Issued by SA Rugby Communications