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	– Safety of Supporters assured for Lions Rugby Tour to South Africa

The high level of crime in South Africa has raised concerns for the estimated 50 000 supporters that will follow the British Lions to South Africa next year, to watch them take on the world champions.

Lions Tour Manager, Gerald Davies, and Lions Head Coach, Ian McGeechan, recently spent 12 days on a fact-finding mission in South Africa. He assured supporters that their safety was being carefully examined in South Africa. With other significant sporting events such as the Confederations Cup, coming to South Africa in 2009, the South African government and police force is taking significant measures to ensure the safety of visitors.

"There will be a huge influx of people into the country next year and we're sure that the people in charge will make sure everything is all right. We're confident that South Africa will be able to cope with this, if they weren't capable they wouldn't have invited us here,” said Davies.

He added, "In any big sporting occasion you need to have security. We'll have our own security and each hotel that we go to will have security, so we'll be well covered."

The British Lions are made up of elect players from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. They face 10 fixtures, including three Tests against the Springboks. The Lions come together once every four years to tour New Zealand, South Africa and Australia in rotation.

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