Jay Z’s rugby club keep the Lions series on the road as Durban side The Sharks answer tour SOS
JAY Z and DJ Khaled's rugby club have saved the Lions series after answering an SOS.
The Sharks have agreed back-to-back games with Warren Gatland's tourists after Saturday's game against The Bulls was hit by Covid.
Durban-based super-club The Sharks are promoted by Roc Nation - the sports agency which is owned by rapper Jay Z - and also supported by his mate DJ Khaled.
On Wednesday night they lost 54-7 to the Lions at Ellis Park.
And that game was played in total chaos as just hours before kick-off the Lions had to put FOURTEEN people into Covid quarantine.
But The Sharks will get a chance for revenge in Pretoria on Saturday - even though they are still missing ELEVEN Springboks stars, including skipper Siya Kolisi.
South Africa rugby boss Jurie Roux said: “The choice of the Cell C Sharks was dictated by the fact that they have been in a bubble, have returned negative tests throughout and were prepared to take on the fixture.
“No other team in the country could meet those conditions right now – without going into a five-day lockdown.
"It is not an ideal situation, but COVID-19 has made sure that we do not live in an ideal world.”
Lions MD Ben Calveley added: “We’re very grateful to the Sharks for agreeing to play us again this Saturday at Loftus Versfeld.
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“We have further COVID-19 testing scheduled for today and tomorrow.
"The results of those tests will determine whether we will be able fulfil this fixture, but, as it stands, we are optimistic.
“We remain committed to the Tour in South Africa and determined to rise to the challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic.”