The Lions squad arrived back in the country from New Zealand on Sunday evening and have all gone into self-isolation for 14 days.

The union confirmed on Monday that all the players and most of the team management had arrived back in South Africa last night.

The rest of the management team will arrive on Monday evening (16 March) and will also be going into a 14-day self-isolation period.

‘It is difficult circumstances but people’s health come first,’ Lions chief executive Rudolf Straeuli said in a statement.

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‘Sanzaar is in ongoing discussions with broadcasters and have been keeping everyone informed of the decisions,’ he added. ‘The situation will be reviewed on an on-going basis.’

This follows the weekend announcement from Sanzaar that the 2020 Vodacom Super Rugby season had been put on hold to help contain the spread of the Covid-19 virus.

The Lions had played three of their four scheduled matches on tour and were set to finish up against the Highlanders in Dunedin this weekend, before the announcement was made.

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Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images