Durban, Pretoria and Johannesburg will provide the key settings for the British and Irish Lions' 10-match tour of South Africa next summer, it has been confirmed. Asba Park, Loftus Versfeld and Ellis Park will each play host to an instalment in the Lions' three-match Test series against the Springboks, with the games scheduled for June 20, June 27 and July 4, respectively. The five-week tour will commence against a Highveld XV in Rustenburg on May 30 and unfold across seven cities before culminating with the potential series decider in Johannesburg.

Hopes will be high in the visiting camp that they can emulate the achievements of the last Lions side to visit South Africa, in 1997. Then, as now, South Africa were the reigning world champions, but the Lions, captained by Martin Johnson, shrugged off their status as underdogs to clinch a memorable 2-1 Test series triumph.

"We are looking forward to touring such a wonderful country and playing the world champions on their own turf," said the Lions chairman Andy Irvine. "The tour itself promises be full of challenges in a country where rugby is a real passion, but I am confident the 2009 Lions will acquit themselves well. We are expecting tens of thousands of Lions fans to travel to South Africa in 2009, and we are certain that every one of them will come back with amazing memories."

"The Lions tour will be a massive sporting event on a par with Rugby World Cup, and is expected to be a huge success," added Jonathan Stones, the managing director of SA Rugby Limited. "We are putting in place an exciting programme and look forward to hosting this unique team. It is anticipated that South Africa will reap significant economic benefits from this tour."

The Lions, meanwhile, hope to announce their head coach for the tour by the middle of next month. The Wasps rugby director Ian McGeechan, who led the Lions in South Africa 11 years ago, is understood to be the favoured candidate. His coaching assistants may include Shaun Edwards and Warren Gatland, who masterminded Wales' recent Six Nations victory.

Itinerary: May 30, Highveld XV (Rustenburg); June 3, Golden Lions (Johannesburg); June 6, Cheetahs (Bloemfontein); June 10, Sharks (Durban); June 13, Western Province (Cape Town); June 16/17 tbc, Coastal XV tbc (Port Elizabeth tbc); June 20, South Africa (Durban); June 23, Emerging Springboks (Cape Town); June 27, South Africa (Pretoria); July 4, South Africa (Johannesburg).