Autumn.

South Africa (SA) Rugby has confirmed they are considering moving the 2021 British and Irish Lions tour from the summer to the autumn as World Rugby continues discussions over a global rugby calendar.

A major overhaul of rugby’s calendar has long been in the works with the Six Nations and SANZAAR recently releasing a joint statement revealing that discussions have begun in recent weeks amid the current global crisis.

The goal is to ensure genuine alignment of the seasons in the northern and southern hemispheres with Test rugby set to take place in March and April and again in October and November. As part of this, the Lions tour could be moved from July and August to October and November.

SA Rugby CEO Jurie Roux confirmed they have looked at a number of contingency plans and said it would be a shame if the tour had to be played behind closed doors.

“The development of the pandemic and its varying impact around the world has made for a fluid situation and we have had to be responsive in our planning,” Roux said.

“That means we have looked at a number of contingencies around scheduling.

“We have those scenarios in place, but the main question now is when it will be safe for international travel and for mass gatherings. It would be a disappointment if a Lions series had to be played behind closed doors, but that is not a scenario for which we are currently planning.”