While there is talk that club rugby around the country could restart on August 2, Brakpan Rugby Club is not focused on getting back on the field so soon. The club has been badly affected by Covid-19 with last week being one of the worst.
“We can confirm that current and previous management from our club has lost loved ones and we must be serious in terms of this virus and the vaccination process.
“We can’t name all of our members who have lost loved ones to the virus here but we want to convey our sincere condolences to everyone in the Brakpan community and elsewhere in SA who lost people to the virus,” said club chairperson Harry Nieuwenhuis.
Club captain Ben Kruger lost his wife, Carine, to the virus in a heavy week for Brakpan. Former captain Chris Homann also lost his wife, Annelie, to Covid-19.
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In a week that can only be described as dark, the club’s former financial manager, Gerhard Vermeulen, also lost his battle to Covid-19.
“This all in one week. We are of course aware of a lot of other people lost to our community and we can only ask everyone to get vaccinated where possible and adhere to all the protocols required to save lives,” said Nieuwenhuis.
Despite the country’s lockdown restrictions being eased from level four to three this week, the club along with others in the Valke Peregrine League such as Vereeniging feel that is not yet time to return to the field.
“The risk currently is still there and, as can be seen, the havoc that the virus is creating in our community as a whole we feel it’s not worth anyone’s life and we can still play the game in the future. Rather save lives than rugby games is our motto for now,” said Nieuwenhuis.
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“We did receive notification from SA Rugby that amateur games may restart on August 2 without spectators and normal Covid-19 protocols must be adhered to at all times.
“We have, however, decided not to restart the season for the fourth time, but rather to focus on the 2022 season inclusive of our 100th year celebrations.”
With all of the club’s management now having been vaccinated, Nieuwenhuis hopes more people will receive their jabs so that the club can start with its 2022 season preparations in October.
The pandemic has been tough for local sports stars and clubs as many have seen little to no action since March 2020.
