SA union blamed for high prices

THE British and Irish Lions have insisted they are not to blame for the high ticket prices that have led to disappointing attendances during their tour of South Africa.

The first Test in Durban was not sold out and there are still tickets available for Saturday’s second Test in Pretoria priced at €110, nearly three times more expensive than a Tri-Nations international.

The Lions tour matches against provincial opposition weakened by the absence of their Springbok players have been blighted by swathes of empty seats, with those tickets around five times more than a domestic Currie Cup match.

Lions chief executive John Feehan has faced a number of enquiries on the subject during meetings with various rugby stakeholders and last night outlined that the ticketing policy was down to the South African rugby authorities.

Feehan said: “The South African Rugby Union and its provincial unions had sole responsibility for the setting of ticket prices for the British and Irish Lions tour and the Lions management had no input whatsoever into any of this.

“The Lions did appoint official overseas travel agencies to service the requirements of travelling British and Irish Lions supporters.”

However, the tickets for this programme were purchased at full price from the South African Rugby Union by the British & Irish Lions.

“It is true to say we are very surprised at the level of the attending crowds. The Lions only visit South Africa every 12 years and it is therefore disappointing that the stadiums have been far from full.”