Is South Africa vs Georgia rugby on TV? Channel, live stream, kick-off time, teams for Lions Tour warm-up TODAY

SOUTH AFRICA are back in rugby action for the first time since the 2019 World Cup final as they step up preparations for the Lions Tour.

The Springboks have not been able to play since that famous evening in Tokyo, owing to the Covid pandemic.

But now they are looking to break many UK hearts once again as they prepare to host the British and Irish Lions.

First up however is the visit of Georgia and the Springboks have overcome a Covid outbreak within their squad to assemble a side.

Head coach Rassie Erasmus said: "I don't think the Georgia Test match [is at risk], in my opinion, having followed the natural flow of how things happened and when the guys left [Bloemfontein] last Thursday and when the new guys came in and who was in contact with who.

"We've got a squad of 45 players, especially for that reason. We've got guys playing against the Lions next week at our provinces, so we will never not have enough players to play.

"Even if there are players inside that are positive, we can draft a player from the outside who is anywhere on the Test radar at the provinces.

"I think it would be 100 per cent bad luck or something more external that makes that decision, but I can't see it.

"We will have enough numbers … even if we have to pick a totally new team.

"I'm fairly sure that in this group of 45, there are very few guys that are actually infected."

What time does South Africa vs Georgia kick off?

  • South Africa take on Georgia on Friday, July 3.
  • The match kicks off at 6pm UK time – 7pm in South Africa.
  • It will take place at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria.
  • South Africa and Georgia have only ever met once, with the Springboks running out 46-19 winners in Sydney in the 2003 Rugby World Cup.

Is South Africa vs Georgia on TV and can I live stream it?

  • South Africa vs Georgia is live on Sky Sports Action.
  • Coverage commences at 5.30pm – half an hour before kick-off.
  • To stream the game live, head to your Sky Go account.
  • Non-Sky Sports subscribers can still watch all the action with a Now TV Day Pass from £9.99.

Team news

  • Giacomo Pisa

    GEORGIA REPLACEMENTS

    And these are the men Georgia head coach Levan Maisashvili has to call upon throughout the game:

    16. Chkoidze, 17. Khatiashvili, 18. Japaridze, 19. Cheishvili, 20. Javakhia, 21. Aprasidze, 22. Babunashvili, 23. Spanderashvili.

  • Giacomo Pisa

    SOUTH AFRICA SUBS

    Head coach Jacques Nienaber has these men at his disposal off the Springbok bench:

    16. Marx, 17. Kitshoff, 18. Malherbe, 19. Orie, 20. Wiese, 21. H.Jantjies, 22. E.Jantjies, 23. Willemse.

  • Giacomo Pisa

    GEORGIA STARTING XV

    And here's how the visitors line-up in Pretoria:

    15. Niniashvili, 14. Tabutsadze, 13. Kveseladze, 12. Sharikadze (captain), 11. Tapladze, 10. Abzhandadze, 9. Lobzhaidze

    8. Jalagonia, 7. Saginadze, 6. Tsutskiridze, 5. Mikautadze, 4. Davit, 3. Melikidze, 2. Bregvadze, 1. Gogichashvili

  • Giacomo Pisa

    SOUTH AFRICA STARTING XV

    Here's how the Springboks line-up for their first warm-up game this evening:

    15. le Roux, 14. Specman, 13. Kriel, 12. Steyn, 11. Fassi, 10. Pollard, 9. Reinach

    8. Smith, 7. du Toit, 6. Kolisi (captain), 5. Mostert, 4. Etzebeth, 3. Nyakane, 2. Mbonambi, 1. Nche.

  • Giacomo Pisa

    GOOD AFTERNOON

    Welcome to our live blog of South Africa’s first warm-up game ahead of the three test series against the British and Irish Lions that begins later this month. 

    Georgia are the visitors to the southern hemisphere to take on the current World Cup holders, with the Springboks not having played since their World Cup final win over England in 2019. 

    It’s their first game in 608 days but head coach Jacques Nienaber has named 18 World Cup winners in his squad, as well as three uncapped players. 

    Wingers Rosko Specman and Aphelele Fassi make their debuts from the start this evening, while forward Jasper Wiese is set to make his Springbok bow off the bench. 

    Georgia come into the game off the back of a 48-15 win against the Netherlands last week, and also featured in the inaugural Rugby Nations Cup at the end of 2020. 

    The Springboks preparations for the three test series against the Lions get underway tonight, while the Lions’ first game since arriving in South Africa is tomorrow as they face the Sigma Lions at 5pm.  

    Kick off for South Africa tonight though is at 6pm with the full team news coming up next. 

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