British Airways will be the official carrier of the British & Irish Lions Tour in July.

The airline says it will fly the 37-strong British & Irish Lions squad to South Africa on June 27, for the eagerly awaited Lions Tour, heading directly to Johannesburg on a charter flight from Edinburgh, following The Vodafone Lions 1888 Cup clash against Japan at BT Murrayfield Stadium on Saturday, June 26.

The Lions’ arrival in Johannesburg sees the best players from England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland embarking on an eight-game tour of South Africa, including three tests against world champions, the Springboks. Both teams, the British & Irish Lions and Springboks, will be flown to matches by BA’s franchise partner, Comair.

Glenn Orsmond, Comair CEO, said: “We look forward to welcoming the British & Irish Lions and the Springboks on board our British Airways (operated by Comair) flights for the upcoming tour. The British & Irish Lions tours are unique in bringing together rugby fans from around the globe to witness the age-old rivalry between two of the greatest teams in world rugby, the Springboks against the British and Irish Lions. We are excited and honoured to be part of this great event.”

The British & Irish Lions have toured South Africa on 13 previous occasions, 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. 

BA supplied the following 2021 Castle Lager Lions Series schedule:

• Saturday 26 June: The British & Irish Lions v Japan (BT Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh) KO 14h00 SAT/1500 (BST) 
• Saturday 3 July: Emirates Lions v The British & Irish Lions (Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg) KO 18h00 (SAT)/17h00 (BST)
• Wednesday 7 July: Cell C Sharks v The British & Irish Lions (Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg) KO 20h00 (SAT)/19h00 (BST)
• Saturday 10 July: Vodacom Bulls v The British & Irish Lions (Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria) KO 18h00 (SAT)/17h00 (BST)
• Wednesday 14 July: South Africa ‘A’ v The British & Irish Lions (Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town) KO 20h00 (SAT)/19h00 (BST)
• Saturday 17 July: DHL Stormers v The British & Irish Lions (Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town) KO 18h00 (SAT)/17h00 (BST)
• Saturday 24 July: Springboks v The British & Irish Lions (1st Test, Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town) KO 18h00 (SAT)/17h00 (BST)
• Saturday 31 July: Springboks v The British & Irish Lions (2nd Test, FNB Stadium, Johannesburg) KO 18h00 (SAT)/17h00 (BST)
• Saturday 7 Aug: Springboks v The British & Irish Lions (3rd Test, FNB Stadium, Johannesburg) KO 18h00 (SAT)/17h00 (BST).