SA Rugby
The SA Rugby Union (Saru) is aiming to return to action from August 1, or earlier if possible, pending approval from government.
Saru chief executive Jurie Roux says a 500-page return-to-play manual had been in the hands of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture for some weeks.
“We believe we have a comprehensive and scientifically rigorous set of protocols to minimise the risk of transmission and allow a return to competitive rugby within the next two months,” said Roux.
“We have planned meticulously for the moment and know we have the infrastructure and capacity within our professional playing environment to safely deliver those protocols.
Roux said the probable loss of four months of the playing calendar would mean a re-working of the domestic calendar, but he believed a re-designed Super Rugby competition and the kick-off of the Currie Cup were both possible.
“The international travel ban means Vodacom Super will undergo a re-design, as it has in New Zealand and Australia, but we are looking forward to its resumption,” said Roux.
Meanwhile, SA Rugby had planned for a range of possibilities for the return to Test rugby.
“There are several options,” said Roux.
“The postponed July tests could still take place here in October; our northern hemisphere tour in November has not been cancelled and the possibility of playing the Castle Lager Rugby Championship in a single venue in ‘a bubble’ has also been workshopped.
“But as those all remain unconfirmed and reliant on factors outside of our control. But we also have a few other ideas up our sleeve, which we’re quite excited about, and will announce if and when they become necessary.”
Roux said that South Africa – as all nations – was heavily involved with World Rugby on discussions around a re-working of the global calendar.
Roux said that speculation that more South African teams might join the Guinness PRO14 was understandable in the circumstances, but it was too early to come to any conclusions.
Meanwhile planning for the British & Irish Lions’ tour of South Africa in 2021 remained in high gear.
He confirmed that a move to host the tour later in the year was being considered to dovetail with all other Test scheduling conversations that were taking place at a World Rugby level.
Rugby went into lockdown almost 12 weeks ago on March 18.
- African News Agency (ANA)
