South Africa director of rugby Rassie Erasmus insists that he is willing to do “anything it takes” to play the British and Irish Lions in 2021.

The Lions are due to fly to South Africa later this year and face the Springboks in a three-Test series in July and August, but plans have been put on hold due to issues with coronavirus.

There are significant doubts as to whether fans would be able to attend, which means that other options are being explored.

Home series derided

With the vaccine currently being rolled out throughout Britain and Ireland, it could be safe for the Lions to have a ‘home’ series, but that idea has been met with derision.

A petition has been started to oppose that move, but Erasmus is open to the organisers finding any way they can to get the matches played.

“We desperately want to play and will do anything it takes,” Erasmus told reporters. “We don’t want to miss this opportunity.

“Whatever we have to do to play that (series)… we sacrificed the Rugby Championship last year for player welfare, but also because we knew we had a big series (against the Lions) the next year.

“If at the end of the day Option A does not work in South Africa, and there are Options B and C… we will go to Option Z.

“We will take any option not to lose it, if it means playing there or next year. Whatever it takes.”

South Africa have not played a Test match since the 2019 World Cup due to Covid-19, while the virus has also put significant pressure on SA Rugby financially.

Playing a Lions series is crucial to the governing body commercially but Erasmus says that it is more than that for him and the team.

“Apart from the commercial reasons, we feel we deserve to play against them [the Lions],” he added. “I want the opportunity, (head coach) Jacques (Nienaber) wants the opportunity.

“Some players extended their career to have this opportunity. Players stayed in South Africa to play this.

“So if the question is put to us: ‘Guys, would you do X, Y and Z?’ We don’t care. We will do anything to play that series.

“We will never, ever stop it [from our side] and that is why I think we will find a solution in the end.”