Lions vs South Africa 2021: date and kick off time of second rugby Test match, teams - and how to watch on TV

British and Irish Lions go into their second Test against South Africa with a 1-0 lead
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The Lions and South Africa have announced their teams ahead of the first Test match in Cape Town on Saturday (31 July).

All three games are being played in the city as Covid-19 continues to take a grip on Gauteng, where the second and third Tests were due to be held. The Lions Lions showed resilience to battle back from a 12-3 interval deficit to triumph 22-17 in the first Test.

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Alun Wyn Jones completed a remarkable comeback to captain the Lions on his fourth tour with the side. The Welsh captain dislocated his shoulder five weeks ago in a match against Japan at BT Murrayfield.

South Africa's and British and Irish Lions players shake hands after the first rugby union Test match at The Cape Town Stadium in Cape Town on July 24, 2021. (Photo by RODGER BOSCH / AFP) (Photo by RODGER BOSCH/AFP via Getty Images)South Africa's and British and Irish Lions players shake hands after the first rugby union Test match at The Cape Town Stadium in Cape Town on July 24, 2021. (Photo by RODGER BOSCH / AFP) (Photo by RODGER BOSCH/AFP via Getty Images)
South Africa's and British and Irish Lions players shake hands after the first rugby union Test match at The Cape Town Stadium in Cape Town on July 24, 2021. (Photo by RODGER BOSCH / AFP) (Photo by RODGER BOSCH/AFP via Getty Images)

Warren Gatland’s side will be without the usual sea of red cheering them on from the stands, but memories of their series lost 12 years ago will still be fresh in the mind as they look to clinch another series win on Saturday.

Here’s all you need to know about how to watch the second Lions vs South Africa Test match.

What time will Lions vs South Africa kick off?

The second Test match will kick off at 5pm BST in Cape Town on Saturday 31 July.

The Second Test line-up for the Lions.The Second Test line-up for the Lions.
The Second Test line-up for the Lions.

How to watch the match on TV?

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The match will be available to watch live on Sky Sports. The game will be available to stream on the channel, the broadcaster’s website and via the SkyGo app.

Highlights will be available to watch on All4.

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Where is the game being played?

All three games will now be played in Cape Town as Covid-19 continues to take a grip on Gauteng, where the second and third Tests were due to be held.

Cape Town Stadium was built for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The arena has hosted five World Rugby Sevens Series events, and has also hosted exhibition tennis matches.

Who’s in the Lions XV?

Head coach Warren Gatland has made three changes to his starting XV. Prop Mako Vunipola replaces Rory Sutherland in Cape Town, with scrum-half Conor Murray in for Ali Price and centre Chris Harris starting in place of Elliot Daly.

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Number eight Taulupe Faletau is on the bench after missing out on selection for the first Test, while Liam Williams and Hamish Watson drop out of the 23.

Stuart Hogg; Anthony Watson, Chris Harris, Robbie Henshaw, Duhan van der Merwe; Dan Biggar, Conor Murray; Wyn Jones, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Tadhg Furlong; Maro Itoje, Alun Wyn Jones (capt); Courtney Lawes, Tom Curry, Jack Conan.

Reps: Ken Owens, Rory Sutherland, Kyle Sinckler, Tadhg Beirne, T Faletau, Owen Farrell, Elliot Daly, Ali Price

Who’s in the South Africa XV?

W Le Roux (Toyota Verblitz); C Kolbe (Toulouse), L Am (Cell C Sharks), D De Allende (Munster), M Mapimpi (Cell C Sharks); H Pollard (vice-captain, Montpellier), F De Klerk (Sale); S Kitshoff (DHL Stormers), B Mbonambi (DHL Stormers), F Malherbe (DHL Stormers), E Etzebeth (Toulon), F Mostert (Honda Heat), S Kolisi (Cell C Sharks, capt), PS Du Toit (DHL Stormers), J Wiese (Leicester).

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Replacements: M Marx (Kubota Spears), T Nyakane (Vodacom Bulls), V Koch (Saracens), L De Jager (Sale), M van Staden (Vodacom Bulls), K Smith (Yamaha Júbilo), H Jantjies (DHL Stormers), D Willemse (DHL Stormers).

Odds

South Africa: Evens

Draw: 16/1

Lions: Evens

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