In
rugby union, since their first meeting in 1891, the
British & Irish Lions and the
South Africa national team have contested 13 series, with South Africa winning nine to the Lions' four, and one drawn series in
1955. The two teams have played 49 matches; South Africa have won 25 times to the Lions' 18, with the remaining six matches finishing as draws. The Lions won the first two series between the two sides in
1891 and
1896, including wins in the first six matches, but then did not win another series until their unbeaten
1974 tour. After South Africa's victory in the
1980 series, the two teams did not meet again until
1997 as a result of
apartheid sanctions; the Lions won the 1997 series, before South Africa won the next two tours;
2009 and
2021.
In
rugby union, since their first meeting in 1891, the
British & Irish Lions and the
South Africa national team have contested 13 series, with South Africa winning nine to the Lions' four, and one drawn series in
1955. The two teams have played 49 matches; South Africa have won 25 times to the Lions' 18, with the remaining six matches finishing as draws. The Lions won the first two series between the two sides in
1891 and
1896, including wins in the first six matches, but then did not win another series until their unbeaten
1974 tour. After South Africa's victory in the
1980 series, the two teams did not meet again until
1997 as a result of
apartheid sanctions; the Lions won the 1997 series, before South Africa won the next two tours;
2009 and
2021.