Covid-19 pandemic red-cards amateur club rugby for 2020

Mpumalanga rugby clubs will not continue long-standing and proud rivalries this year. According to Herklaas du Preez, this will the the first time since World War II that competitive club rugby will not be played in the Lowveld.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, no club rugby will be played in South Africa in 2020.

This was announced by SA Rugby recently.

The Mpumalanga Rugby Union (MRU) and the clubs its amateur arm represents are disappointed. “We understand where we are as a nation in this pandemic," said manager of amateur rugby of the MRU, Roelof Kotze. He hoped that despite SA Rugby's announcement, some sort of action on club level could still take place.

According to SA Rugby CEO, Jurie Roux, "The risks associated with a mass return to train and play has been highlighted by government and the timelines and practicalities are such that it is unrealistic that there will be a general return to play this year.

"Therefore the members of the CovCom, the standing committee of member unions and experts which has been managing rugby's response to the pandemic, opted to formally confirm that the only rugby taking place under its jurisdiction this year would feature the eight (professional) senior teams.

“Nelspruit and White River clubs which play in the Premier League, and Barberton,

Matsulu, Rooikat (Lydenburg), Ratels (Ohrigstad), Malelane, Hazyview, KaMhluhwa Black Cats and Impala (Komatipoort) clubs, which compete in the Mayor's and Mayor's Reserve leagues, might only see competitive action in April or May, when the 2021 season commences.

“The MRU is disappointed with the announcement.

“Throughout the lockdown we have remained positive that there might be an opportunity later in the year... for the boys to play, be it 7s, 10s or 15s rugby.

"In the back of our minds we are hoping that something might still happen. If the peak of the virus is in September and things normalise in October, we can look at having something in November.

"Our clubs have been struggling financially because there has been no income and they still have to pay all their bills," said Kotze.

Nelspruit Rugby Club (NRC) coach, Morné Crous, said, "It’s really sad to get this news. We had plans for this year and old players just wanted to play one last time as the club is 95 years old this year. "We had youth players working hard to be invited to the Pumas for trail programmes

"The clubs' chances of representing Mpumalanga in the Gold Cup have also been deprived. The competition was set to have a new format this season, involving more teams in the province".

Pietman Rademeyer, chairman of White River Rugby Club (WRRC) said, "WRRC has such a strong family orientated bond and since the start of Covid-19 our family has been torn apart.

"We have not been able to take care of our fields and players due to immense financial strain.

“Our players, supporters and the game we love has been broken down to a dry field, no laughter, no twins having a jam behind the always welcoming bar.

“We were on our way to a brilliant and exciting season, we would have had Saturdays with the fields packed with supporters, bringing our community together, young and old.”

It is impossible to predict what the Covid-19 situation is going to be come pre-season 2021, when the clubs host their traditional 7s and 15s rugby days.

But the passion for and love of rugby is strong among the Mpumalanga clubs... and like Kotze said, "The moment we lose hope, things will look very bleak".

Our players, supporters and the game we love has been broken down to a dry field with no laughter