Five members of the British and Irish Lions camp, which includes two players, have been isolating after a positive coronavirus test in the management team. The Lions said that the individual and four close contacts are being isolated and assessed at the team hotel.
The positive result came after a lateral flow test was conducted as part of the Lions tour screening programme on Wednesday. Ahead of Wednesday’s tour match against the Cell C Sharks, all members of the touring party have been PCR-tested, and the match has been pushed back to a 7 pm kick-off as they await the results.
The Lions added that Wednesday’s game will go ahead “provided the subsequent round of PCR testing returns negative results later this afternoon”.
The latest developments are a huge setback to the tour’s prospects. The Lions are due to face South Africa in a three-Test series, starting on July 24. The statement added: “Should this be the case, the kick-off time for tonight’s game will be adjusted to 8 pm (local time), 7 pm (BST).”
Meanwhile, the Springboks’ scheduled warm-up Test against Georgia on Friday, has been cancelled because of Covid-19 infections in both camps, SA Rugby has announced.
Lions managing director Ben Calveley said in a statement to Sky Sports: “We have followed all necessary precautions since the start of the tour, which included regular testing and rigorous Covid-19 counter-measure planning and protocols.”
