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- The Super Rugby Unlocked match between the Sharks and the Stormers has been canceled.
- This comes after a Covid-19 outbreak among the Sharks’ closed-head prop group.
- It looks like the Bulls v Pumas match in Pretoria could go ahead.
Super Rugby Unlocked will end with a groan after SA Rugby announced on Tuesday that the long-awaited coastal battle between the Sharks Y Stormers has been canceled due to Covid-19 protocols.
The decision was made after this week’s mandatory testing round revealed an outbreak among the group of hard-headed Durbanites.
This latest disruption means that at least three games have been affected to date, with the Lions’ games against the Cheetahs and Pumas postponed.
The situation at Kings Park has prompted Jurie Roux, head of Rugby SA, to issue a stern warning to franchises to continue to adhere to health and safety protocols.
“Players and management are urged to exercise extreme caution in their social participation,” he said in a statement.
“It only takes careless interaction by a single player to have the ripple effect affecting 45 other players, team management, schedule and potentially the fate of the title.
“As young athletes in good shape, it can be tempting to think that they are ‘immune’ to infection and that they do not have comorbidities that make them vulnerable. But a positive test for one of them can have massive repercussions.” I trust that the team management will underline this. that message daily to your gaming staff. “
Roux’s point on collateral effects is ironic given that there was concern that the Sharks and Stormers could overtake the Bulls on the record at the end of the weekend given the uncertainty about their meeting with the Pumas at Loftus.
But now there seems to be a clear chance that Jake White’s men have a chance to end a successful unlocked campaign on a high note.
The game against the Lowvelders has now been tentatively moved to Saturday, as long as the Pumas, who have seven players in quarantine as of Thursday, do not test positive on Thursday.
Changing the game a day later would allow them to have at least one training session.
