Fantasy SANZAAR Lions Squad That Would Dominate A Northern Tour
Fantasy SANZAAR Lions Squad That Would Dominate A Northern Tour
The British and Irish Lions triumph in Australia, while a fantasy SANZAAR Lions squad is unveiled for a thrilling Six Nations mega-tour.
Rugby’s last great touring squad, the British and Irish Lions, once again have proven their enduring appeal and competitive edge with another triumphant trip south of the equator.
Under the guidance of Andy Farrell, the Lions claimed a hard-fought 2-1 series win over Joe Schmidt’s resurgent Australia.
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While Schmidt’s Wallabies avoided the indignity of a series whitewash with a commanding 22-12 victory in biblical Sydney rain during the third test, the visitors had already done enough to secure the series.
The deciding moment came in the second test — a narrow, last-minute defeat for Australia that ultimately left the Wallabies chasing the series from behind.
For Australia, the tour was a bittersweet glimpse of the future.
Schmidt’s side demonstrated grit and structure, suggesting it is a team on the rise.
Yet the Lions’ composure, depth and relentless defensive effort underlined why the Lions still holds a psychological edge in such series over the Wallabies.
Southern Hemisphere Battles Across The Globe
While Australia and the Lions were trading blows, the rest of the Southern Hemisphere’s rugby heavyweights also were busy testing themselves against northern opponents.
In New Zealand, the All Blacks showed glimpses of brilliance and transition, sweeping a largely second- and third-string French side 3-0. The series never was in doubt, but it offered Ian Foster’s successor a valuable opportunity to blood emerging talent, while maintaining the aura of invincibility at home.
Across the Southern Ocean, Argentina suffered a frustrating 2-0 series loss to England.
The Pumas, coached by Felipe Contepomi, were hoping to make a statement in front of their passionate home fans, but instead endured a bruising reminder of the precision and power required to compete with Tier 1 European sides over multiple matches.
Meanwhile, on African soil, reigning world champion South Africa put on a clinical display.
The Springboks brushed aside a spirited young Italian squad, before dismantling Georgia in a physically dominant performance.
The Springboks’ unbeaten July series reinforced their reputation as the most ruthless finishers in world rugby.
The SANZAAR Lions Concept – A Southern Hemisphere Dream Team
With these fixtures setting the tone for the upcoming Rugby Championship, a bold new concept has emerged in our minds, the SANZAAR Lions.
Imagine a squad made up of the very best players from South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and Argentina joining forces for an epic tour of the Six Nations.
Under this plan, the SANZAAR Lions would embark on a six-week, 10-match mega-tour, playing not only the Six Nations sides (Ireland, England, Scotland, Wales, Italy and France) but also facing unique composite and domestic champion club teams midweek.
This tour would echo the best of rugby’s golden era, physically punishing, mentally draining and relentlessly competitive.
The schedule alone reads like a gauntlet:
- Match 1: SANZAAR Lions vs First Nations & Pasifika – DHL Stadium, Cape Town
- Test 1: SANZAAR Lions vs Wales – Principality Stadium, Cardiff
- Match 2: SANZAAR Lions vs URC Select 23 – Páirc Uí Chaoimh, Cork
- Test 2: SANZAAR Lions vs Scotland – Murrayfield, Edinburgh
- Match 3: SANZAAR Lions vs Gallagher Premiership All Stars
- Test 3: SANZAAR Lions vs England – Twickenham, London
- Test 4: SANZAAR Lions vs Ireland – Croke Park, Dublin
- Test 5: SANZAAR Lions vs Italy – Stadio Olimpico, Rome
- Match 6: SANZAAR Lions vs Top 14 Dream Team – Stade Vélodrome, Marseille
- Test 6: SANZAAR Lions vs France – Stade de France, Paris
Historical Parallels – When Tours Made Legends
This proposed SANZAAR Lions tour draws instant comparisons with some of rugby’s most storied expeditions.
The 1971 British and Irish Lions tour of New Zealand, captained by the legendary John Dawes, remains the only Lions side ever to win a test series against the All Blacks.
Over 26 games in just under three months, they not only beat New Zealand 2-1, they also took on provincial and combined XVs midweek, often on heavy grounds in front of partisan crowds.
The demands on body and mind were brutal — but it forged a team remembered as one of the greatest in rugby history.
Equally iconic, was the 1974 Lions tour to South Africa, led by Willie John McBride.
Unbeaten across 22 matches, including a 3-0 test series win over the Springboks, this side became synonymous with the “Invincibles” nickname. They weathered hostile environments, both on and off the pitch, and introduced the now-famous “99 call,” a code for collective retaliation when things turned nasty.
The SANZAAR Lions concept could revive the drama, spectacle and raw challenge of these legendary tours, but with a twist: instead of four nations uniting to take on the best of the south, the south would combine to challenge the north on their home turf. In many ways, it’s the ultimate role reversal.
SANZAAR Squad
Coaches: Rassie Erasmus (Head Coach), Felix Jones (Defence Coach), Joe Schmidt
(Assistant Head Coach - Consultant): Jason Ryan (Forwards Coach), Felipe Contepomi (Attack Coach), Ronan O’Gara (Kicking Coach), Eoin Toolan (Performance Analyst)
Prop: Thomas Du Toit (RSA), Wilco Louw (RSA), Ox Nche (RSA), Tamati Williams (NZL), Fletcher Newell (NZL), Angus Bell (AUS), Taniela Tupou (AUS), Thomas Gallo (ARG)
Hooker: Malcolm Marx (RSA), Codie Taylor (NZL), Julián Montoya (ARG), Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Hooker & Prop cover)
Second Row: Eben Etzebeth (RSA), RG Snyman (RSA), Scott Barrett (NZL), Patrick Tuipulotu (NZL), Will Skelton (AUS), Guido Petti (ARG), Pedro Rubiolo (ARG)
Back Row: Pieter-Steph Du Toit (RSA), Siya Kolisi (RSA), Cameron Hanekom (RSA), Kwagga Smith (RSA), Wallace Sititi (NZL), Ardie Savea (NZL), Fraser McReight (AUS), Rob Valetini (AUS), Pablo Matera (ARG), Marcos Kremer (ARG), Joaquín Oviedo (ARG)
Scrumhalf: Grant Williams (RSA), Faf de Klerk (RSA), Cam Roigard (NZL), Tate McDermott (AUS)
Fly-Half: Sacha Feinberg Mngomezulu (RSA), Beauden Barrett (NZL), Tomás Albornoz (ARG), Handre Pollard (RSA)
Center: Damian De Allende (RSA), Jesse Kriel (RSA), Joseph Sua’ali’I (AUS), Jordie Barrett (NZL), Santiago Chocobares (ARG)
Wing: Cheslin Kolbe (RSA), Kurt Lee Arendse (RSA), Max Jorgensen (AUS), Caleb Clarke (NZL), Rieko Ioane (NZL), Mateo Carreras (ARG)
Fullback: Damian Willemse (RSA), Will Jordan (NZL), Juan Cruz Mallia (ARG), Tom Wright (AUS)
If the first test was tomorrow, the starting XV might look like this:
1. Ox Nche (RSA)
2. Malcolm Marx (RSA)
3. Fletcher Newell (NZL)
4. Will Skelton (AUS)
5. Eben Etzebeth (RSA) – Captain
6. Pieter-Steph Du Toit (RSA)
7. Ardie Savea (NZL)
8. Wallace Sititi (NZL)
9. Cam Roigard (NZL)
10. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (RSA)
11. Will Jordan (NZL)
12. Jordie Barrett (NZL)
13. Jesse Kriel (RSA)
14. Cheslin Kolbe (RSA)
15. Juan Cruz Mallia (ARG)
Replacements: 16. Julian Montoya (ARG), 17. Angus Bell (AUS), 18. Wilco Louw (RSA), 19. RG Snyman (RSA), 20. Scott Barrett (NZL), 21, Kwagga Smith (RSA), 22. Grant Williams (RSA), 23. Damian Willemse (RSA)
If this tour ever takes place, it could be the modern game’s answer to the epic tours of the past — the same grueling schedule, the same clash of rugby cultures, but now on a truly global scale.
For rugby traditionalists, it’s a tantalizing vision; for the players, it would be the ultimate test of endurance, skill and unity.
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