SA Rugby CEO Rian Oberholzer fears 'tragic' loss if Lions scrap South Africa tour cycle

Reports last week stated that the famous touring team is challenging consultancy firms to "ideate, validate and confirm the preferred operating model and approach for the period beyond 2029."

The tour to New Zealand in 2029 is the final scheduled tour under the current agreement with SANZAAR, and the Lions are currently weighing up their options with the Beyond29 document stating that they are looking "to learn how they can expand their value and awareness further into new audiences, potentially in new territories."

The request for proposals was sent out by the famous touring team, which wants to establish the viability of adding a new destination outside of the current stops in South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand, and these could include the likes of France, Japan, and the Americas.

Speaking to Afrikaans publication Rapport, SARU CEO Oberholzer says that it would be "tragic" if the Lions didn't tour South Africa on their usual 12-year rotation, particularly after the 2021 series was played completely behind closed doors due to the global pandemic.

"All the more so because we came up short in 2021, when we had to present the Lions tour during COVID-19 and could make virtually no money," he remarked.

Before he sounded a warning to the Lions, "People have to be careful not to just do away with tradition for the sake of it."

If the status quo were to be maintained, the Lions would be touring South Africa in 2033, and while Oberholzer would rue the change in the touring schedule, he isn't too worried just yet, as the investigation into other destinations is only at the exploratory phase.

"This Lions project is still at a very early stage, and they are only now appointing advisors to investigate the viability of a new touring model," he said.

"Therefore, it is still too early for us to really express an opinion. We will see what they ultimately decide and take it from there."

Meanwhile, former Scotland number eight John Beattie, who toured with the Lions in 1980 and 1983, sees the logic behind taking the touring team to another, bigger region with rugby played mainly in smaller countries.

"The USA, with a population of 354 million, has the largest economy in the world," he told Rapport

"I can therefore see the logic of expanding there as well as to an established city-based rugby setup like the ones in France."

He added: "If you can get the best of Britain to tour Japan, the stadiums will sell out and their pockets will be full of money. These days it's about expanding the footprint and making money rather than simply showcasing the beauty of the game as in the past."

On the prospect of potentially losing the tour to South Africa, Beattie agreed that it would be "tragic", particularly after he wasn't overly impressed by what he saw in Australia last year.

"It would be very, very sad," he said. "I watched the tour to Australia closely, and to be perfectly honest, it was a bit boring.

"South Africa is a real rugby country, and I have always considered South Africa and New Zealand to be the giants of the game.

"Touring there less often would basically amount to a show of disrespect."

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