SANZAAR gives South Africa 48-hour deadline to confirm participation in Rugby Championship
South Africa were given clearance from government to participate in international competition earlier this month
©Steve Haag
SANZAAR has given a deadline of 48 hours to South Africa Rugby Union to confirm the participation of the Springboks in the Rugby Championship tournament.
The tournament which was postponed from its original schedule following the pandemic coronavirus is now set to kick-off on 31st October with New Zealand locking horns with Australia while the first game for South Africa will be against Argentina on 7th November.
While Australia and New Zealand played their local domestic competitions and also a Bledisloe Cup Test, South Africa players were cleared for contact training earlier in the month and now the restrictions to participate in the international competitions has been lifted.
With the South African players' departure to Australia delayed and are set to undergo mandatory quarantine period, SANZAAR said the opening two Tests between the Wallabies and New Zealand that will be played on 31st October and 7th November will go as per the schedule while the other schedules will be decided on receiving the confirmation from SARU.
"The Sanzaar member unions have agreed to provide South Africa Rugby with an additional 48 hours to finalise its internal stakeholder discussions," Sanzaar said in a statement.
"This will now delay the scheduled departure of the Springboks from South Africa to Australia.
"Sanzaar will provide an update on the resolution of these discussions and a timetable for the Springboks participation in the Rugby Championship when available in the coming days."
Meanwhile, Argentina players are already on a bio-secure bubble in Sydney after a number of players and staff were tested positive for Covid-19 during their preparatory camp last month.
