The British and Irish Lions will play three Tests against South Africa on a 10-match tour that will visit seven cities next year.  Details of the tour were confirmed today, with Durban, Pretoria and Johannesburg announced as the respective venues for the games against the world champion Springboks.

Cape Town's famous Newlands venue has missed out on staging a Test but it will host fixtures against Western Province and the Emerging Springboks.

The first game will be against Highveld XV in Rustenburg on May 30th and will end in a possible Test series decider at Johannesburg's Ellis Park five weeks later. The schedule is comprised of four midweek fixtures and six Saturday games.

Lions chairman Andy Irvine said today: "We are looking forward to touring such a wonderful country and playing the world champions on their own turf.

"The tour itself promises be full of challenges in a country where rugby is a real passion, but I am confident the 2009 Lions will acquit themselves well.

Jonathan Stones, SA Rugby Limited's managing director, added: "The Lions tour will be a massive sporting event on a par with Rugby World Cup, and is expected to be a huge success."

The Lions, meanwhile, hope to announce their head coach for the tour by the middle of next month.

Fomer Ireland manager Eddie O'Sullivan was once favourite to lead the Lions but failure at the World Cup and Six Nations has seen him drift in the market. Wasps rugby director Ian McGeechan, who led the Lions on victorious trip to South Africa 11 years ago, is now in pole position.

His coaching assistants could include Shaun Edwards and Warren Gatland, who masterminded Wales' Six Nations title success and Grand Slam this season.

Itinerary

May 30, Highveld XV (Rustenburg)

June 3, Golden Lions (Johannesburg)

June 6, Cheetahs (Bloemfontein)

June 10, Sharks (Durban)

June 13, Western Province (Cape Town)

June 16/17 tbc, Coastal XV tbc (Port Elizabeth tbc)

June 20, South Africa (Durban)

June 23, Emerging Springboks (Cape Town)

June 27, South Africa (Pretoria)

July 4, South Africa (Johannesburg)