PE’s rich history with Lions set for next chapter

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The city of Port Elizabeth’s rich history with the British & Irish Lions continues in 2021 when the tourists visit PE for the 14th successive time, dating back to 1891.

There have been two famous wins for Eastern Province against the Lions, with the 1924 locals beating them 14-6 and the class of 1955 historically shutting out the Lions in a 20-0 win at the Crusaders Ground.

The Springboks have also battled the tourists in some memorable Test matches, with the most recent being at the ‘old’ Boet Erasmus Stadium in 1980, when legendary Springbok flyhalf Naas Botha kicked a penalty, conversion and drop goal to secure the Boks a 12-10 third-Test win. It was also the match that won the Boks the four-Test series.

The Lions did not play Test matches in Port Elizabeth in 2009 and 1997, but they did face the wrath of a gallant Eastern Province in 1997 and they emerged 20-8 winners against the Southern Kings in a titanic struggle in 2009 at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. The home side trailed 6-3 on the hour and it was only in the final quarter that the Lions sealed the victory.

The Lions, made up of the best players from England, Wales, Ireland and Scotland, tour South Africa once every 12 years and 2021 promises to be the biggest rugby extravaganza of the year and one of the most watched sporting events globally.

The demand for tickets, by way of the official ticket ballot system, has been huge among South African residents and the tour organisers have urged locals to maximise Wednesday’s final day of the Ticket Ballot in registering and applying for match-day tickets.

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

No tickets will be sold on match day in 2021 for any of the eight tour matches and ticket purchases also can’t be made through traditional outlets, like the provincial unions. All ticket applications have to be done online through the Tour’s official South African website www.lionstour2021.co.za

The Lions traditionally have a travelling support of between 20,000 and 30,000 fans, but the majority of tickets for all eight matches, including the three-Test series against the world champion Springboks, have been made available to South African residents.

The tour organisers have also ensured affordability and accessibility, with tickets for the Port Elizabeth match on 7 July costing between R100 and R350. The R100 tickets are available only to SA residents.

ALSO READ: Last chance for Lions tour tickets

Historical British & Irish Lions results in Port Elizabeth

  • 2009: British & Irish Lions vs Southern Kings 20-8 (Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium)
  • 1997: British & Irish Lions vs EP 39-11 (Boet Erasmus)
  • 1980: British & Irish Lions vs EP 28-16 (Boet Erasmus)
  • 1974: British & Irish Lions vs EP 28-14 (Boet Erasmus)
  • 1968: British & Irish Lions vs EP 23-14 (Boet Erasmus)
  • 1962: British & Irish Lions vs EP 21-6 (Boet Erasmus)
  • 1955: British & Irish Lions vs EP 0-20 (Crusaders Ground)
  • 1938: British & Irish Lions vs EP 6-5 (St Georges Park)
  • 1924: British & Irish Lions vs EP 6-14 (Crusaders Ground)
  • 1910: British & Irish Lions vs EP 14-6 (Port Elizabeth Ground)
  • 1903: British & Irish Lions vs Port Elizabeth 15-0 (Crusaders Ground)
  • 1903: British & Irish Lions vs EP 12-0 (Port Elizabeth Ground)
  • 1896: British & Irish Lions vs Port Elizabeth 26-3 (Port Elizabeth Ground)
  • 1896: British & Irish Lions vs EP 18-0 (Port Elizabeth Ground)
  • 1891: British & Irish Lions vs Port Elizabeth 22-0 (Crusaders Ground)
  • 1891: British & Irish Lions vs (EP) 21-0 (Crusaders Ground)

Remembering the EP locals who downed the mighty British & Irish Lions

The 1955 EP team that beat the British & Irish Lions 20-0: 15. F Griffiths, 14. S Visagie, 13. S Pearson, 12 R Nieuwenhuizen, 11. K Watson, 10. T Mills, 9. N Singleton, 8. D Schonken, 7. W Cunningham, 6. R Johnson, 5. R Griesel, 4. D Staples, 3. N Fick, 2. C Kroon, 1. A du Plooy.

The 1924 EP team that beat the British & Irish Lions 14-6: 15 F Anderssen, 14. J Slater, 13. A Coetzee, 12. C Keey, 11. T Jefferys, 10. T Michau, 9. J Fourie, 8. D Coetzee, 7. T White, 6. J Wilken, 5. W Jacobs, 4. W Crockhart, 3. A van Heerden, 2. M Loftus, 1. J Dold.

British & Irish Lions versus Springboks in Port Elizabeth

  • 1980: British & Irish Lions vs Springboks 10-12 (Boet Erasmus)
  • 1974: British & Irish Lions vs Springboks 26-9 (Boet Erasmus)
  • 1968: British & Irish Lions vs Springboks 6-all (Boet Erasmus)
  • 1955: British & Irish Lions vs Springboks 8-22 (Crusaders Ground)
  • 1938: British & Irish Lions vs Springboks 3-19 (Crusaders Ground)
  • 1924: British & Irish Lions vs Springboks 3-all (Crusaders Ground)
  • 1910: British & Irish Lions vs Springboks 3-8 (Crusaders Ground)
  • 1896: British & Irish Lions vs Springboks 8-0 (Crusaders Ground)
  • 1891: British & Irish Lions vs Springboks 4-0 (Crusaders Ground)

Overall history between the British & Irish Lions & Springboks

  • Springboks: 23 wins. Lions: 17 wins. Draws: 6
  • Average score: Lions 11 Springboks 13

WATCH: Register and apply for Lions Tour tickets 

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 computerised 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. 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.

Full 2021 tour schedule:

Saturday 3 July: British & Irish Lions vs DHL 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 Cell C Sharks – Jonsson 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.

READ: Ticket pricing announced for B&I Lions tour

Post by

Craig Lewis