Tests will push Super Rugby off the pitch

If‚ due to Covid-19‚ there has to be a sacrificial lamb on the SA rugby calendar‚ Super Rugby appears to be most at risk.

The July Test matches against Scotland and Georgia outrank it in order of importance‚ while the Rugby Championship scheduled to start in August is of even greater significance.

“That is certainly how the broadcaster would want it‚” said one well-placed source. “The Test matches would definitely take priority.”

The Springboks are due to play Scotland on July 4 and 11, followed by a one-off Test against Georgia a week later.

While SA Rugby may prefer those matches to go ahead‚ they are at greater risk of not being played. The Tests involve international travel, which will require different governments having to agree on various health and safety protocols.

SA Rugby does have a bit of time and can move those fixtures back a month if a suitable Super Rugby schedule can be agreed on by Sanzaar, the multinational body which oversees Super Rugby and The Rugby Championship competitions

Though the Tests will take priority‚ the source said they may be moved to a later time as will the Rugby Championship.

With Super Rugby already compromised‚ its schedule is more likely to be altered to fit the rest of the fixture list.

Sanzaar officials are understandably tight-lipped about the different return-to-play scenarios they are weighing up.

There is huge uncertainty as governments in SA‚ Australia‚

Japan‚ Argentina and New Zealand have different restrictions in place.

Rugby Australia is considering having its players return to the field in May, while New Zealand is upbeat about how it has levelled the curve of the rate of infections. New Zealand went into full lockdown on March 19 and the earliest they will emerge from it is April 16.

Japan this week declared a state of emergency as the rate of infection increased and it is unlikely any sport will be played there in the foreseeable future.