Head coach Warren Gatland is set to name his 36-man British & Irish Lions squad for the 2021 Tour of South Africa. Read all about the announcement here.

The event will be broadcast live at 12:45pm SA time (11:45am UK time), where the Lions will be building up before chairman Jason Leonard reveals the 2021 squad.

CAPTAINCY DEBATE: Is Alun Wyn Jones the best in his position?

It will be streamed live on the Lions social-media channels – Facebook, YouTube and Twitter – as well as on the Official Lions Rugby App and website LionsRugby.com.

Special guests during the announcement will include England World Cup-winner Jason Robinson as well as Tommy Bowe, Gavin Hastings, Sam Warburton and Springbok great Bryan Habana via Zoom.

The 2021 tour captain will also join the guests on the show remotely.

ALSO READ: Gatland shocks with five bolters on tour longlist

Gatland and members of his 2021 coaching team will also be in studio to run over their squad for the friendly against Japan, as well as the Lions series.

‘To put on that Lions jersey is incredibly special,’ said Gatland.

‘I’ve been lucky enough to be on a number of Lions tours and seeing those players put the jersey on for the first time – you can see the pride in their faces.

‘It’s about understanding what has come before you and the famous players who have worn the iconic jersey and those who will come after you. The Lions are regarded as the best of the best and this is the biggest challenge in rugby.

‘Once you’ve been selected, once you’ve played for the Lions, that is something that can never ever be taken away from you.’

ALSO READ: Lions greats pick 2021 bolters

The announcement will also be broadcast live on SuperSport Rugby from 1pm and will be followed by a Sky-produced show (7pm) that reacts to the announcement and will include interviews with Gatland and his new captain.

South African reaction – from Jean de Villiers, Hanyani Shimange and Schalk Burger, all in Cape Town – will follow at 8pm.

Photo: Gallo Images