South Africa’s Test match against Georgia in Johannesburg on Friday has been cancelled due to Covid-19 infections in both camps. This week the Springbok management and playing group returned 12 positive tests for Covid-19, while Georgia had returned four.
The Springboks have been forced to take preventative measures for the second time during the build-up to the Test series against the British and Irish Lions, which opens in Cape Town on July 24.
After the South African provincial team returned several positive Covid-19 tests the Lions’ match against Vodacom Bulls on Saturday has been postponed. “In the context of the loss of life and economic damage that COVID and this third wave are wreaking, the cancellation of a rugby match is pretty trivial,” said Jurie Roux, CEO of SA Rugby in a statement to Sky Sports.
“But it is still a major disappointment for the many stakeholders who have invested so much time, energy and resources into making these matches happen. We continue to plan for the Springboks’ re-emergence from isolation and the completion of the Test series but in the short-term, we wish a speedy recovery for those who have been infected,” he added.
In order to comply with Covid-19 protocols, the enlarged Springbok squad’s travel plans are now being reviewed. A South Africa ‘A’ team is scheduled to play the British & Irish Lions at Cape Town Stadium on Wednesday, July 14.