Australia officially offered to host the 2021 British & Irish Lions series against South Africa, Rugby Australia (RA) Chairman Hamish McLennan confirmed.

The Lions are due to tour South Africa in July and August where they will also play three Test matches against the reigning World champions.

However, those plans are in doubt given the effects of the coronavirus pandemic in the African country which has reported the highest number of confirmed cases and deaths in the continent and is battling to contain the spread of a new variant of the virus.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, McLennan invited SA Rugby CEO Jurie Roux to have the series in Australia and also forwarded a proposal to England’s Rugby Football Union and World Rugby.

“What we learnt from the Tri Nations last year and the tennis that’s happening now is that Australia can successfully stage global tournaments in a COVID world,” McLennan said. Between November and December last year, Australia hosted the Rugby Championship, rebranded to the Tri-Nations, after South Africa pulled out of the tournament.

“It’s particularly tough in the UK and South Africa at the moment and I believe the more international rugby that gets played here, the better.”

South Africa and the Lions would share the profits from the three-Test series, with Australia just taking enough to cover costs, the Herald reported. Perth, Sydney and Brisbane have been mentioned as possible venues to host the matches.

However, Australia’s Super Rugby teams may play against some of the Lions in warm-up games, together with South African provincial sides.

“We’re here to help,” he added.

McLennan noted that their offer could work because there are so many UK and South African residents and expats who live in Australia, so fans would attend matches.

Lions officials are expected to decide this month whether to proceed with the tour or take a look at other options. Some options mentioned are playing the matches in South Africa without fans or playing in the UK and Ireland.

“Ultimately, it’s their call,” McLennan said.