The South African government approved a return to competitive action for rugby under strict COVID-19 compliance measures, according to a notice issued by the Minister of Sports Nathi Mthethwa.
According to the ministry, contact training and matches will be played in empty stadiums in a “bio safe environment” with a limited number of people allowed to attend games as part of essential services.
The return to competitive action is only limited to domestic rugby and not international rugby.
Following the announcement, SA Rugby, the sport’s governing body in the nation, said that it hoped to have its first matches by early to mid-September.
Eight teams were allowed to resume training last month with the aim of competing in domestic competitions accommodated into the remainder of the year.
The teams are: Vodacom Bulls, Emirates Lions, Cell C Sharks, DHL Stormers, Isuzu Southern Kings, Toyota Cheetahs, Tafel Lager Griquas and Phakisa Pumas.
SA Rugby added that plans on the structure of the planned competition will be announced in due course. Two of South Africa’s SANZAAR partners, New Zealand and Australia, have already launched their own domestic rugby competitions to great success.
SA Rugby CEO Jurie Roux welcomed the government’s decision noting that it was important for competition to resume for the benefit of all rugby stakeholders.
“We are very grateful for the opportunity to move to the next phase of our return-to-play plans and will provide the Department with all the necessary information required, such as venues for matches, to ensure a smooth transition to competitive rugby,” Roux said.
Roux admitted that the teams needed a few more weeks of preparation before they would be ready for competitive matches having been unable to train effectively for a few months.
He also expressed hope that the situation improves to allow the easing of restrictions to allow the resumption of international rugby.
“We know the World Rugby window for the Castle Lager Rugby Championship is only in November and December, so we’re hopeful that in due course the government will be in a position to further relax the restrictions.”
