Former Springbok on why the British and Irish Lions series is so special

Former Springbok scrumhalf Werner Swanepoel has shared his views on the British and Irish Lions tour and why it is so special to rugby players.

The Lions are slated to tour South Africa in 2021 and Swanepoel said they will provide a severe challenge for world champion Springboks. Rugby fans can book British and Irish Lions Tour Tickets on our website on exclusively discounted prices.

Swanepoel made his international debut off the bench against the 1997 Lions at Ellis Park, a game the Springboks won 35-16, although they had already surrendered in the series after losing the first two Tests in Cape Town 25-16 and Durban 18-15.

"The British and Irish Lions series is the next big challenge for the World Cup-winning Springboks. I have very fond memories of the 1997 tour for personal reasons because I got my debut with the Springboks in the third round at Ellis Park. I swapped jerseys with their reserve scrum-half after coming on for Joost van der Westhuizen. I have the jersey hanging in my home bar and when I'm an old man I can wear it to wipe my tears from the series defeat! "Swanepoel told Sport24 in an exclusive interview.
Jeremy Guscott
Lions center Jeremy Guscott was the hero of the tour as he kicked the winning drop goal in the tourists' victory in the second Test at Kings Park. Swanepoel said Guscott had told him how prestigious it was to play for the Lions against the Springboks. Rugby fans can book British and Irish Lions Tour Tickets on our website.

"I spoke to Jeremy Guscott the other day and I said, like 'laaitie' in South Africa you always want to play for the Springboks and for them he said as they grew up always wanting to play for their country the cherry on the cake is being picked for the Lions British and Irish. It is a true honor for the boys when they wear that red shirt, as is the case with the green and gold."

Werner Swanepoel

Swanepoel said the Lions had a shrewd coach at Warren Gatland, but that the Springboks were on target with Jacques Nienaber as head coach and Rassie Erasmus as director of rugby.

The battle will start next year and I can't wait to see all the games. I see that Warren Gatland, who will coach the team next year, has praised Rassie. Sometimes you have a very nice coach who is not a coach or a coach. Which is not nice. Rassie brought those two together and the rest is history. She won the World Cup for South Africa, which is an incredible achievement.

These days I think the coaches and players are media savvy and the sweet conversation will start. I really look forward to the series and Rassie will be behind the scenes and take control and responsibility. He and the new Springbok head coach Jacques Nienaber have worked together for years and I think it will be a smooth transition.

"However at the end of the day you can be as good a coach as you can be but you need to organize a strong 23rd day. The British and Irish Lions will prove to be a tough team but with Jacques named the continuity will be there along with the same culture and structures, which I think is very positive for South African rugby."

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