British & Irish Lions Tour Dates - South Africa  2009 

The first Test will take place on the 20th June in Durban. The tour schedule includes six weekend fixtures and four midweek matches. There will also be a match scheduled between the first and second Tests against the Emerging Springboks on 23 June 2009. The Lions will play matches in seven cities over a period of six weeks, commencing with a game against the Highveld XV in Rustenburg on Saturday, 30 May.

British & Irish Lions chairman Andy Irvine said: "We are looking forward to touring such a wonderful country and playing the World champions on their own turf.  "The tour itself promises be full of challenges in a country where rugby is a real passion but I am confident that the 2009 Lions will acquit themselves well.

"Lions tours are unique events and as such extremely popular. We are expecting tens of thousands of Lions fans to travel to South Africa in 2009 and are certain that every one of them will come back with amazing memories."

SA Rugby (Pty) Ltd MD Jonathan Stones added: "The Lions tour will be a massive sporting event, on a par with Rugby World Cup and is expected to be a huge success. We are putting in place an exciting programme and look forward to hosting this unique team.

"It is anticipated that South Africa will reap significant economic benefits from this tour."  "It is important to note that two high profile matches have been scheduled in Cape Town, which will allow supporters in that region to see the Lions in action at Newlands," added Stones.

Some Famous Lions 

British & Irish Lions Schedule and Fixtures

Saturday May 30: Highveld XV, Royal Bafokeng, Rustenburg
Wednesday June 3: Golden Lions, Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Saturday June 6: Cheetahs, Vodacom Park, Bloemfontein
Wednesday June 10: Sharks, ABSA Park, Durban
Saturday June 13: Western Province, Newlands, CapeTown
Tuesday/Wednesday June 16/17: Costal XV (full details still to be confirmed)
Saturday June 20: First Test, ABSA Park, Durban
Tuesday June 23: Emerging Springboks, Newlands, Cape Town
Saturday June 27: Second Test, Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Saturday July 4: Third Test, Ellis Park, Johannesburg

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