Report: Rainbow Cup up in flames?

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Rainbow Cup has reportedly hit another setback.

According to various media reports, the tournament is set to be scrapped.

The newly formed Pro Rugby competition was set to kick off this weekend, with the Stormers hosting the Sharks in Cape Town while the Bulls were scheduled to welcome the Lions at Loftus.

And now, multiple media reports out of South Africa stated, that a press release from SA Rugby on Tuesday is expected to confirm that the weekend’s matches will be called off and the whole competition — featuring four SA teams and the PRO 14 teams — is on pause.

Meanwhile, an Irish media outlet, the Independent.ie, reported that the competition is set to be restricted to a cup competition between the existing European teams.

South Africa’s reported exit from the six-round-and-a-final tournament stems from a failure to gain permission from the UK and Ireland governments for the visit of the SA teams.

The Bulls, Stormers, Lions and Sharks were scheduled to travel to the United Kingdom next month.

Source: Independent.ie

#ICYMI: The Rainbow Cup will see the Pro14’s finest share the stage with the best South Africa has to offer. https://t.co/DetXVW5TdF

— rugby365.com (@rugby365com) April 20, 2021