Super Rugby Unlocked Covid-19 Outbreak Related to Stormers-Lions Clash

• The Covid-19 outbreak that has disrupted preparations for this week’s Super Rugby Unlocked is linked to last week’s Stormers-Lions match in Newlands.
• Four Lions players tested positive for the virus, while the Stormers had to withdraw two players before their game against the Pumas.
• Stormers coach John Dobson says they have no positive cases, but it is imperative that safety protocols are followed.

Stormers coach John dobson has confirmed that the Covid-19 outbreak that has disrupted preparations for this week’s Super Rugby Unlocked is related to his team’s match against the Lions Last weekend.

The Stormers were forced Wednesday to retire prop Steven Kitshoff and whore Scarra ntubeni from his squad to face the Pumas after the players came into contact with a person who tested positive for the coronavirus.

It followed the news from Lions’ camp earlier in the day that four of their players had tested positive for the virus.

Addressing reporters at a virtual press conference from Nelspruit, Dobson said the outbreak stems from the encounter in Newlands last Saturday.

“All of our players were tested on Tuesday (October 20) and for the fifth week in a row they all tested negative,” Dobson said Wednesday night.

Despite all of his players testing negative, Dobson said protocols must be followed.

“We have not had a positive test for Covid as of Tuesday’s testing. [But] the protocols are pretty clear. The two medical teams involved (from the Stormers and Lions), as well as SA Rugby, review that and identify players who were within contact requirements to be excluded.

“Unfortunately Steven (Kitshoff) and Scarra (Ntubeni) were. So, you can figure it out, it’s probably based on a scrum, or something like that. So they are excluded (in isolation) for 10 days.”

Dobson said it was a complex process to determine which players could be a risk, but it was necessary to safeguard the tournament.

“The protocol is … if a man trains and tests positive, medical teams have to review the training images to see who crossed the contact threshold.

“This was obviously during a game because it was us against the Lions, we were not training with the Lions, it was someone who had a limited participation in terms of playing time and they reviewed it and our players that were identified were Kitsie and Scarra, both are Covid negatives at this time.

“The Lions obviously have four positive cases and the protocol is that they would have to go and contact themselves. That is the protocol and it is something that we support … it is difficult to lose Scarra and Kitsie, they are both a little puzzled, they tested negative and They told them they can’t play this weekend, but I think because of the integrity of the tournament and respect for the situation, we accept it a lot. “

The Lions said the affected players, who were not named, were removed from the team preparing for their game against the Cheetahs in Johannesburg.

A statement from the Lions read: “The team is put to the test every week. These players have been eliminated from the squad.All protocols have been followed and relevant parties have been informed. “