SA Rugby responds to Covid-19

Plans to restructure local rugby competitions are currently under discussion in the wake of the recent measures introduced to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, SA Rugby announced on Wednesday.

These plans could see South African franchises and other provincial teams return to a new, locally-based derby competition in view of the current suspension of Vodacom Super Rugby and the Guinness

PRO 14.

SA Rugby CEO Jurie Roux confirmed the national rugby body is in ongoing discussions with stakeholders about a number of competition models that could be implemented.

“SA Rugby is currently evaluating all our competition structures, with a view to restructure it in the interim so that we are able to afford game time to all our franchise and provincial teams,” said Roux.

“Obviously, nothing can happen in the next few weeks until the ‘period of social distancing’, as instructed by President Cyril Ramaphosa, has lapsed.

“These are extraordinary times which call for extraordinary measures and it also offers us an opportunity to be innovative.

“We are working closely with our broadcast partner, Supersport, and other important stakeholders and will announce plans once we are in a position to do so,” Roux added.

After the suspension of all national team training and alignment camps and business travel as part of a raft of measures in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic, Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus said plans are already in place to continue with preparations.

– SA Rugby Communications