South Africa.

The Lions tour of South Africa is still over a year away but that hasn’t stopped us from speculating about a possible XV to take on the world champions in their back yard.

Warren Gatland will once again lead the famous touring side having secured a series win against Australia in 2013 before going on to draw the series with New Zealand back in 2017.

A lot will no doubt change between now and the summer fo 2020 but ITV has decided to have a pop at picking their proposed XV and to be honest we’re not all that convinced.

First off – Johnny Sexton will be 36 by the time the Test series comes around so it’s hard to see him as the starting outhalf. Alun Wyn Jones also isn’t getting any younger.

Here’s their proposed XV.

Now here’s the XV we reckon could line out against the Boks:

15. Stuart Hogg
14. Liam Williams
13. Henry Slade
12. Manu Tuilagi
11. Jacob Stockdale
10. Owen Farrell
9. Gareth Davies

1. Mako Vunipola
2. Ronan Kelleher
3. Tadhg Furlong
4. Maro Itoje
5. James Ryan
6. Tom Curry
7. Sam Underhill
8. Billy Vunipola

What do you think? Let us know your proposed XV in the comments.

Lion 2021 fixtures.

Warm-up games:

Saturday 3 July 2021: British & Irish Lions v DHL Stormers – Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town
Wednesday 7 July 2021: British & Irish Lions v South Africa Invitational – Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth
Saturday 10 July 2021: British & Irish Lions v Cell C Sharks – Jonsson Kings Park, Durban
Wednesday 14 July 2021: British & Irish Lions v South Africa ‘A’ – Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit
Saturday 17 July 2021: British & Irish Lions v Vodacom Bulls – Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria

Test matches:

Saturday 24 July 2021 (First Test): Springboks v British & Irish Lions – FNB Stadium, Johannesburg
Saturday 31 July 2021 (Second Test): Springboks v British & Irish Lions – Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town
Saturday 7 August 2021 (Third Test): Springboks v British & Irish Lions – Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg