Rugby-Rainbow Cup to help Boks gear up for Lions series

FILE PHOTO: Rugby Union - Rugby World Cup - Final - England v South Africa - International Stadium Yokohama, Yokohama, Japan - November 2, 2019 South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus before the match. REUTERS/Kiyoshi Ota

CAPE TOWN (Reuters) - South Africa’s preparations for the British & Irish Lions tour next year have been given a significant boost after it was confirmed their four major franchises will compete in the Rainbow Cup against PRO14 clubs.

The competition will get under way on April 17 next year and see the Bulls, Lions, Sharks and Stormers, who all previously competed in Super Rugby, face teams from Ireland, Wales, Scotland and Italy that will all tour South Africa at some stage in the campaign.