British & Irish Lions Rugby Tour to South Africa 2009

History

1980 - to date

The Lions toured South Africa in 1980. The team completed a flawless non-test record, winning 14 out of 14 non-test matches on the tour. The Lions did however lose the first three tests to South Africa, winning the last one, though the series had already been won by the Springboks.

The 1983 tour to New Zealand saw the team successful on the non-test front, winning all but two games, but getting white-washed in the test-series against the All Blacks.

The Lions tour to Australia in 1989 was a short affair, being only 12 matches in total. The tour was very successful for the Lions, who won all eight non-tests and won the test series against Australia, two to one.

The Lions tour to New Zealand in 1993 was the last of the amateur era. The tourists won six and lost four non-test matches and losing the test series two games to one.

The 1997 tour to South Africa was a success for the Lions, who completed the tour only losing two games. The Lions won the test series two games to one. In 2001 a ten game tour took place in Australia, which saw the Wallabies win the test series two games to one. This series saw the first award of the Tom Richards Trophy.

The Lions' latest tour took place in New Zealand in 2005. New Zealand comprehensively won all three test games.

2009
The Lions will tour current world champions South Africa in 2009, with Ian McGeechan as their coach and HSBC as their shirt-sponsor.

1888 - 1909 -HERE
1910 - 1949 - HERE
1950 - 1969 - HERE
1970 - 1979 - HERE
1980 - To Date - HERE