Lions Tour Features Eight Foreign-Born Players Amid Heritage Debate

The British and Irish Lions rugby team includes eight players born outside the UK and Ireland, such as South African-born Pierre Schoeman, who embraces the culture and commitment of representing the Lions despite criticism about foreign-born players. Schoeman likened the experience to fully immersing in a new home and focusing on the present tour, highlighting the collective goal of winning against Australia. In South African soccer, Mamelodi Sundowns dominated the 2024/25 Premiership season by breaking their own scoring record with 65 goals, featuring standout forwards like Iqraam Rayners and Lucas Ribeiro Costa, the latter winning the Golden Boot with 16 goals. The 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season concluded with notable performances, including Moana Pasifika’s captain and All Blacks stalwart who led the team to its best season, and Crusaders’ coach Penney, who turned around the team’s fortunes from a disappointing previous year. These developments illustrate strong individual and team achievements in rugby and soccer across the Southern Hemisphere.