Warren Gatland is confident the British and Irish Lions' Test series against South Africa will proceed as scheduled despite outbreaks of coronavirus in both camps.

The Lions swept aside the Sharks 54-7 in Johannesburg on Wednesday night but it could be their last game for a week after Saturday's clash with the Bulls was postponed because of Covid in the provincial side's camp.

Gatland was forced to make eight changes to his original starting XV after eight Lions were forced to isolate in the wake of positive tests by a squad member and one of the management team.

"It's been quite surreal and a real challenge. The players were in their rooms until 6pm this (Wednesday) evening," he said.

"We didn't get the results back until 5.30pm and we had to make a few changes. But I'm incredibly proud of the performance of the players and how they adjusted and how hard the staff worked.

"My message to the players was 'let's use this as a positive. Whatever is thrown at us, let's show that we can deal with it'. Nothing's going to phase us.

"We were in a situation where we weren't in control of things so we just have to go with the flow and adjust.

"We talk about being able to adapt and change in a situation of chaos. That's what we did today and the players were outstanding in their approach."

The Lions finished with 13 men after wings Louis Rees-Zammit and Duhan van der Merwe suffered tight hamstrings and were taken off as a precaution.