Springboks begin gearing up for British & Irish Lions series

FILE PHOTO: Rugby Union - Rugby World Cup - Final - England v South Africa - International Stadium Yokohama, Yokohama, Japan - November 2, 2019 South Africa's Siya Kolisi and South Africa players celebrate with the Webb Ellis trophy after winning the World Cup Final REUTERS/Issei Kato

CAPE TOWN (Reuters) - South Africa start their preparations for the British & Irish Lions series with a number of camps over the next fortnight with the side having not played a match since they lifted the Rugby World Cup in Japan in 2019.

The Springboks are gearing up for a return to play on home soil against the Lions in July-August, before they take part in the southern hemisphere Rugby Championship and go on an Autumn International tour to Europe.