Smit, who led the Springboks to a series victory in the previous Lions tour of South Africa in 2009, was in conversation with former England and Lions prop Brian Moore as part of the Telegraph‘s Full Contact podcast.

During the interview, Smit was asked whether it is still special to play against the Lions, given how frequently Test matches have been played in rugby’s professional era.

‘I think it has become more special,’ Smit answered. ‘It is the last of the traditional ways of rugby. For us, it’s every 12 years; there is something extremely special about being able to get your timing right, get your injuries right. It’s much harder to play against the Lions than it is to make a World Cup.’

The Springboks are going into this year’s series having not played together since the 2019 World Cup final due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The team will, however, play two Test matches against Georgia as warm-ups before they take on the Lions in late July.

Smit said that the Springboks haven’t played in two years means that nobody really knows what to expect in this year’s series.

‘The appetite has been phenomenal since before we won the World Cup, two years ago. What to expect? No one has a clue. With South Africans, as you well know, common sense is probably the least of our qualities, so everyone expects it to be a resounding success.

‘We’ve got a couple of challenges: our team hasn’t played in two years, and it’ll probably be the same squad that played two years ago. But the excitement here is phenomenal. But what a time to be a pundit – you can’t be wrong because no one’s got a clue what exactly is going to happen.’

While SA Rugby has lobbied for a small percentage of fans to be allowed to return to the stadiums during the tour, it is likely that games will be played behind closed doors, something Smit says could make set pieces more challenging.

‘It’s difficult. I’ve been to a few games as a pundit and it’s eerie, it’s horrible. I could think of nothing worse than playing in front of absolutely nothing,’ Smit said.

‘And the other thing that would worry me, purely selfishly as a hooker, someone that’s in charge of lineouts, is that the opposition hear every single thing you say. So, you have to think about all your calls, about how you don’t allow them to decode your lineout format – it’s just so many more things for these players to be aware of than in our time.’

FULL INTERVIEW

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Earlier this year, South Africa-born Stander announced his impending retirement from all forms of rugby, but did leave the door open to be selected for the Lions’ tour to his home country.

However, his back-row spot in the squad has effectively gone the way of surprise selection Sam Simmonds. The Exeter Chiefs No 8 is the English Premiership’s leading try scorer, but has been snubbed by England coach Eddie Jones for the past three years.

Yet coach Warren Gatland has found space in the squad for Van der Merwe, who enjoyed a standout Six Nations season for Scotland, beating a tournament record 31 defenders and finishing as the Championship’s top try-scorer with five in his debut campaign.

Several players are named in a Lions squad for a first time, including Josh Adams, Bundee Aki, Chris Harris, Ali Price, Louis Rees-Zammit, Tadhg Beirne, Jack Conan, Zander Fagerson, Iain Henderson, Jonny Hill, Wyn Jones, Andrew Porter, Sam Simmonds, Rory Sutherland and Hamish Watson.

ALSO READ: Jones to lead British & Irish Lions

The Lions’ full squad read as follows:

Backs (16):

Josh Adams (Cardiff, Wales) Wing

Bundee Aki (Connacht Rugby, Ireland) Centre

Dan Biggar (Northampton Saints, Wales) Fly-half

Elliot Daly (Saracens, England) Centre

Gareth Davies (Scarlets, Wales) Scrum-half

Owen Farrell (Saracens, England) Fly-half

Chris Harris (Gloucester Rugby, Scotland) Centre

Robbie Henshaw (Leinster Rugby, Ireland) Centre

Stuart Hogg (Exeter Chiefs, Scotland) Full-back

Conor Murray (Munster Rugby, Ireland) Scrum-half

Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors, Scotland) Scrum-half

Louis Rees-Zammit (Gloucester Rugby, Wales) Wing

Finn Russell (Racing 92, Scotland) Fly-half

Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh Rugby, Scotland) Wing

Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby, England) Wing

Liam Williams (Scarlets, Wales) Full-back

Forwards (21):

Tadhg Beirne (Munster Rugby, Ireland) Second row

Jack Conan (Leinster Rugby, Ireland) Back row

Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs, England) Hooker

Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, England) Back row

Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors, Scotland) Prop

Taulupe Faletau (Bath Rugby, Wales) Back row

Tadhg Furlong (Leinster Rugby, Ireland) Prop

Jamie George (Saracens, England) Hooker

Iain Henderson (Ulster Rugby, Ireland) Second row

Jonny Hill (Exeter Chiefs, England) Second row

Maro Itoje (Saracens, England) Second row

Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys, Wales) (Captain) Second row

Wyn Jones (Scarlets, Wales) Prop

Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, England) Second row

Ken Owens (Scarlets, Wales) Hooker

Andrew Porter (Leinster Rugby, Ireland) Prop

Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs, England)  Back row

Rory Sutherland (Edinburgh Rugby, Scotland) Prop

Justin Tipuric (Ospreys, Wales) Back row

Mako Vunipola (Saracens, England) Prop

Hamish Watson (Edinburgh Rugby, Scotland) Back row

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North suffered the injury while playing for the Ospreys in the PRO14 Rainbow Cup this past Saturday and had to be helped off the field.

After undergoing scans on his knee during the week, North confirmed on social media that he has ruptured his anterior-cruciate ligament and will have to undergo surgery next week.

This will inevitably rule him out of selection for the Lions series against the Springboks, which gets under way in July.

North was expected to be named in Warren Gatland’s streamlined 36-man squad for the tour, which will be officially announced on 6 May.

The 29-year-old has been in excellent form and was key to Wales’ 2021 Six Nations championship win.

North was part of the Lions’ tour of Australia back in 2013, when they secured a 2-1 series win over the Wallabies. At 28 years and 320 days old, he became the youngest player to earn 100 caps for his country when he lined up against England during this year’s Six Nations.

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According to the Telegraph, the Lions board has dismissed the contingency of relocating the tour to the UK and Ireland due to concerns over logistics and costs, while it is still unclear whether UK-based fans will be able to return to stadiums by July and August.

The Lions board had reportedly sought guarantees from the UK government over underwriting costs for the tour, but reports stated that none were forthcoming. In order to make a relocation to the UK viable, a minimum stadium capacity of 25% would need to be guaranteed, but this is not possible without a clear roadmap out of lockdown.

This means that the only remaining option is for the tour to continue in South Africa as originally planned, after Rugby Australia’s offer to host the tour was also turned down.

‘If it is possible, the RFU is supportive of the Lions tour going ahead in South Africa as planned,’ a spokesperson of England’s RFU said.

RA promised capacity crowds in Perth, Sydney and Brisbane, adding that profits from the Test series would be split between the Springboks and Lions. However, there were concerns over the costs of relocating the tour there as well as loss of revenue should a short-term lockdown be implemented in any of the cities.

The report goes on to state that SA Rugby and the Lions board remain in conversation and that an official announcement around the tour is expected by Thursday.

Full report

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According to a report in the Telegraph, SA Rugby director of rugby Rassie Erasmus has told franchise coaches that moving the Lions tour to the UK and Ireland remains the most financially appealing option available at this point.

The report goes on to state that it is now likely that the Springboks will bring an A team to play in the midweek games, rather than the four South African franchises.

This comes after the UK government announced on Monday its proposed roadmap for easing of Covid-19 restrictions. It’s expected that all restrictions will be lifted on 21 June, including those prohibiting the attendance of sporting events.

The Lions board has yet to reach full consensus, but has approached the government for financial guarantees which, if obtained, would pave the way for the tour to be hosted in the UK and Ireland.

As a further money-maker, the Lions are considering adding a Test against the Springboks. A final decision about the tour is expected next month.

Stormers coach John Dobson told the Telegraph he is resigned to the fact that South Africa is unlikely to host the Lions tour.

‘Rassie Erasmus told us that SA Rugby could make a lot more in the UK than we could here and that was before the announcement,’ Dobson said. ‘We are on our knees financially. We have spent a lot of advance Lions money to bail out unions over this period.

‘I have got some players who are hanging on for the Lions series, but they may not get the chance. From what Rassie said, it does not sound that feasible. It is clear that midweek games would be difficult to stage, so the South Africa A team, effectively our reserves, would be based in the UK and play the midweek games.’

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According to the Daily Mail, the Lions board met last Thursday to further discuss contingencies for their tour of South Africa, scheduled to take place in July and August.

Following the meeting, the Lions approached the government for financial guarantees which, if obtained, would pave the way for the tour to be hosted in the UK and Ireland.

The Mail reported that it is unlikely that the tour will go ahead as planned in South Africa, as the country has only just started a vaccination programme, although there is still the possibility it could be played behind closed doors.

There is also the potential that crowd limits in the UK would be lifted from 21 June, which would be in time for the Lions’ warm-up match against Japan at Murrayfield.

Australia has also offered to host the tour, with the claim that, with state backing, they could guarantee a £10-million profit.

However, the home nations are still in favour of holding the matches in the UK.

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The Lions are scheduled to embark on an eight-game tour of South Africa – including a three-Test series against the world champion Springboks – in July and August this year. But the coronavirus pandemic has created considerable uncertainty over whether the tour will go ahead as planned.

Possible options, meanwhile, under consideration by Lions chiefs are playing the games behind closed doors, delaying the tour until next year or hosting games in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Speaking during the Six Nations’ virtual launch on Wednesday, Jones who has played nine Tests across three tours for the Lions and also captained the elite team in 2013, is adamant the 2021 tour should go ahead as initially planned despite the Covid-19 complications.

‘I think it needs to go ahead this year, the jury is out on where it will happen,’ Jones said.

‘We all know the jeopardy that it’s in. All being well, everyone will be safe and looked after if it does go ahead, for those guys selected.

‘It would be a travesty if the fans weren’t able to go and see it. Having been involved in a few, it’s a very special tour and the fans make it that way.

‘From a captain’s point of view, we (Jones, England’s Owen Farrell, Ireland’s Johnny Sexton and Scotland’s Stuart Hogg) are all in agreement that, if it can, it should go ahead this year.’

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REMINDER: Register for interest in tickets for the 2021 British & Irish Lions tour to qualify for the ballot

Although there had been talks that the tour could be pushed back to later in 2021, it was officially confirmed in a joint release on Wednesday that the highly-anticipated eight-game showpiece event will kick off as planned on 3 July.

In that first match the Stormers will take on the Lions at Cape Town Stadium. Three weeks later the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg will host the first Test – a venue which has previously hosted the 2010 Fifa World Cup final.

The second Test follows on Saturday 31 July at the Cape Town Stadium – the first Lions Test in the Mother City since 1997 – before the British & Irish tourists return to Gauteng for the final Test on Saturday 7 August at Emirates Airline Park – the storied venue of the 1995 Rugby World Cup final.

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

Over 30,000 rugby-mad supporters are expected to travel to South Africa for what is said to be the most lucrative rugby competition outside the World Cup.

For more information on the best range of ticket-inclusive travel packages to South Africa please visit www.lionsrugby.com/tours

Full 2021 tour schedule:

Saturday 3 July: British & Irish Lions vs Stormers – Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town

Wednesday 7 July: British & Irish Lions vs South Africa Invitational – Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth

Saturday 10 July: British & Irish Lions vs Sharks – Kings Park, Durban

Wednesday 14 July: British & Irish Lions vs South Africa A – Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit

Saturday 17 July: British & Irish Lions vs Vodacom Bulls – Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria

Saturday 24 July (first Test): Springboks vs British & Irish Lions – FNB Stadium, Johannesburg

Saturday 31 July (second Test): Springboks vs British & Irish Lions – Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town

Saturday 7 August (third Test): Springboks vs British & Irish Lions – Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg.

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There was outrage among South African supporters at the lack of access to tickets for South Africa’s recent cricket second Test against England at Newlands. Proteas captain Faf du Plessis said afterwards it felt like the match was being played in England, such was the dominance of English supporters over the five days.

Alexander, who has trumpeted the Lions eight-match/three-Tests visit to South Africa as the biggest sporting event in the country since the FIFA 2010 Soccer World Cup, said the ticketing process had been structured in such a way that locals would be able to enjoy the experience of the Lions in South Africa.

‘The British & Irish Lions are unique in that they are only in South Africa every 12 years. We would never deny our local support the opportunity to purchase tickets, and equally, we want our people to be at the stadium cheering on our world champion Springboks. There will be a sea of red but equally there will be an army of green and gold.’

Alexander urged South African fans to register online, so as to be part of the ballot that will determine the ticket allocation.

The ballot will be launched in April and the ballot system is consistent with how all major global sporting events handle match day ticket sales.

‘The registration process is a quick and easy experience. Once registered the individual’s name is then entered into the Ticket Ballot system,’ said Alexander, who added that valued stakeholders, such as those who are season ticket holders or suite holders at a venue and/or franchise would have the first opportunity to purchase tickets after all the tour commercial obligations had been fulfilled.

The purchasing of tickets will be territory restricted:

o Customers based in South Africa will be able to purchase tickets via the online Ticketmaster platform.

o Customers based in the United Kingdom and Europe will only be able to purchase tickets via the official ticket resale agent for this territory, namely Lions Rugby Travel.

o Customers based in the Rest of the World, namely outside of South Africa, United Kingdom and Europe will only be able purchase tickets via the official ticket resale agent for this territory, namely SA Rugby Travel.

*Register your interest at www.lionstour2021.co.za.  Ticket prices, categories and hospitality packages will be made public prior to the ballot launch.  

How Does the Ballot Process Work?

Applicants will use the ballot to apply for tickets to their preferred match, ticket category, ticket quantity and, where applicable, hospitality package.

After the ticket ballot application phase has been completed there will be a computerized selection process. Applicants will then be notified if they have been successful in securing their preferred tickets.

Why a Ticket Ballot?

The ballot system is used in all global major sporting events and is the fairest method of obtaining tickets. It is not a first-come-first-served system, so don’t worry if you don’t get your application in right away, as all applications will receive the same priority.

Registration and entry into the ballot will not automatically entitle applicants to match-day tickets and the purpose of the registration and entry into the ballot places the applicant in the draw.

Registrations are ongoing and the ballot will be launched in the second quarter of 2020, in the month of April.

Online ticket sales will commence in the third quarter of 2020, in July.

Photo: @lionsofficial/Twitter

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