Teams raring to go as SA Rugby announces preparation fixtures
Eight provincial teams will play a series of encounters on a 10-day cycle rather than each week, to manage Covid-19 testing protocols.
LIMPOPO – Eight teams, divided into two pools, will face each other in a series of encounters specifically designed by the Rugby Department of SA Rugby and the competing unions.
According to a statement by SA Rugby Communications General Manager, Andy Colquhoun, the encounters were designed to meet teams’ high performance needs against the landscape of the pandemic and to prepare them for the upcoming season.
“SA Rugby announced the kick-off of the 2021 season with a number of preparation fixtures as national planning focuses on entry to the international Rainbow Cup and the Springboks’ forthcoming test season, starting with the series against the British & Irish Lions,” Colquhoun said.
A significant change to the encounters by provincial team, is that teams will play on a 10-day cycle rather than each week, to manage Covid-19 testing protocols.
“The EP Elephants join the seven sides that competed in Vodacom Super Rugby Unlocked and the Carling Currie Cup from October last year. The teams have been split into two groups and will play cross-pool matches between 27 February and 27 March, ensuring four encounters for every side,” he explained.
The Vodacom Bulls, Lions, Tafel Lager Griquas and Toyota Cheetahs are paired in Pool A and will play the four sides in Pool B; the Cell C Sharks, DHL Stormers, NNC Pumas and Eastern Province Elephants.
“Venues and kick-off times must still be confirmed, but the four matches in the opening round will see the Vodacom Bulls host the EP Elephants, the Lions take on the NNC Pumas, the Cell C Sharks squaring off against Tafel Lager Griquas, and the DHL Stormers up against the Toyota Cheetahs,” he said.
Saru Director of Rugby, Rassie Erasmus said it is imperative that the new season gets underway as soon as possible. “We have a big year ahead with preparing our players for the British & Irish Lions a top priority, but also providing opportunities for all teams to get match fit with an eye on entry into European competitions, and our planned local season,” Erasmus said.
He added: “These matches will provide top players with further opportunities to test themselves against the best in South Africa, while our match officials will also get some valuable game-time under the belt.”
Blue Bulls President, Willem Strauss hopes his team continue their recent successes. “Our recent successes is not our final destination, but rather the beginning of a new exciting era for Blue Bulls Rugby on all levels,” he added.
Fixtures:
Saturday, 27 February
Vodacom Bulls vs EP Elephants
Lions vs NNC Pumas
Sunday, 28 February
Cell C Sharks vs Tafel Lager Griquas
DHL Stormers vs Toyota Cheetahs
Tuesday, 9 March
Toyota Cheetahs vs Cell C Sharks
Tafel Lager Griquas vs DHL Stormers
Wednesday, 10 March
NNC Pumas vs Vodacom Bulls
EP Elephants vs Lions
Friday, 19 March Vodacom
Bulls vs DHL Stormers
Lions vs Cell C Sharks
Saturday, 20 March
NNC Pumas vs Toyota Cheetahs
EP Elephants vs Tafel Lager Griquas
Saturday, 27 March
Toyota Cheetahs vs EP Elephants
Tafel Lager Griquas vs NNC Pumas
Cell C Sharks vs Vodacom Bulls
DHL Stormers vs Lions
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