SA Rugby to turn to derbies?

SPOTLIGHT: Once again there is a lot of uncertainty surrounding the game of rugby in South Africa, which could mean derby matches are on the cards again.

South Africa’s four franchises in the United Rugby Championship were set to enjoy their first home games of the season this weekend. However, the emergence of a new variant of COVID-19 threw the tournament into disarray as South Africa was placed on the UK and EU travel red list.

Munster, Zebre, Cardiff and Scarlets were the teams that were due to play matches in South Africa in Round Six and Seven.

According to Rapport newspaper, SA Rugby could implement an emergency plan which would see South Africa’s four franchises play each other.

It the plan comes into effect,  the Rapport revealed that the Bulls will play the Sharks in Durban on Friday, while the Lions will face the Stormers in Cape Town on Saturday. It would also count towards log points in the URC.

On Friday, URC organisers revealed that the original matches that were scheduled for Round Six and Seven in South Africa would be rescheduled for later this season.

According to the report, there was an offer to fly the travelling teams home after this weekend’s matches on a special charter flight, but it was turned down.

The report also revealed that South Africa’s franchises were left frustrated after the decision to withdraw the travelling teams was done without consulting them.

Source: Rapport

TRAVEL UPDATE | We are flying from Durban to Cape Town to base ourselves ahead of further flight updates pic.twitter.com/NvH80qWmQv

— Scarlets Rugby (@scarlets_rugby) November 27, 2021

The squad remain safe and well at their Cape Town hotel.

We would like to thank everyone for the support and well wishes we have received.https://t.co/Gnhtcvd2za pic.twitter.com/SKfTT3dcOt

— Cardiff Rugby (@Cardiff_Rugby) November 26, 2021