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By Mike Greenaway 
7h ago
DURBAN – A Covid-19 outbreak in the Sharks caused their Super Rugby Unlocked match against the Stormers on Saturday to be canceled, meaning the Bulls are the champions of the inaugural competition.
A small number of Sharks players tested positive on Monday, but the number of teammates they had been in close contact with is high and has meant that a significant number of the team have been isolated: the players positive for 14 days and the others for seven.
This is the third SR game unlocked to be canceled due to Covid-19. The Lions-Cheetahs game and the Lions-Pumas game have also been victims of the coronavirus.
As was the case with those games, the game will be declared a tie and the Sharks and Stormers will each receive two record points.
The Bulls versus Pumas game scheduled for Friday night in Pretoria is understood to be unaffected by Covid-19, but even if it doesn’t go ahead, the Bulls are champions regardless because they are currently two record points ahead of the Stormers and Sharks (tied for second).
After this weekend’s games – the Cheetahs vs. Griquas game is still underway – all seven teams move on to the Currie Cup, with a full round of matches in competition scheduled for next week.
The Sharks are scheduled to host the Pumas next Friday, so that game will now also be in doubt.
The Sharks will have a second round of Covid-19 testing on Wednesday morning as they do everything they can to reduce the outbreak. As a precaution, Sharks players will now train to Block 4, when they exercised in isolation at home.
@IOLsport
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