Covid-19: Rugby goes on lockdown
SA Rugby will also suspend all face-to-face meetings until April 14 and will advise on any change of this for the rest of April following any further announcements from the President. It is very likely that all face-to-face meetings will only resume after April. Critical meetings will be done by teleconference.
Amid President Cyril Ramaphosa’s speech concerning Covid-19, the South African Rugby Union (SARU) has instructed the following measures:
1) Stop all schools rugby training and matches until April 14 in line with the date as provided on schools holiday by the President (effectively a Department of Education decision, but this would be our directive to our Unions and Associate SASRA).
2) Stop all community rugby training and matches until April 14. All players to train on individual base. Group training to start after that date and leave a two-week reconditioning and training period and start matches on April 25 until further notice. The Super Cup, Trophy and league fixtures will be amended and distributed to all unions and clubs.
3) Stop all SARU and Provincial Union rugby and training. All players to train on individual base. Group training to start after that date and leave a two-week reconditioning and training period and start matches on April 25 until further notice (this includes the postponement of the Supersport Challenge Series).
4) The Gold Cup is being assessed, but most likely will not continue as community rugby is being suspended and will leave very little time for qualification. Final call will be made in May.
5) Youth Weeks, the July Tests and Currie Cup will be reviewed in May, but remain as scheduled currently.
6) SARU will suspend all domestic travel until April 14 and all international travel until April 30.
