Heinrich Klaasen prepares to deliver during the 3rd ODI cricket match between South Africa and Australia at Senwes Park in Potchefstroom on 7 March 2020. (Photo by Barco Greeff / AFP)
Non-contact sport cleared for return under Level 3 lockdown
Dlamini-Zuma announced on 28 May that non-contact sport would be allowed to return behind closed doors when the country moves to level 3 of lockdown on 1 June.
Heinrich Klaasen prepares to deliver during the 3rd ODI cricket match between South Africa and Australia at Senwes Park in Potchefstroom on 7 March 2020. (Photo by Barco Greeff / AFP)
Minister of Cooperative Governance Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma announced on 28 May that non-contact sport would be allowed to return behind closed doors when the country moves to Level 3 lockdown on 1 June.
Dlamini-Zuma deferred the nitty-gritty of the ruling to Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Nathi Mthethwa.
Non-contact sport cleared for return
The decision opens the door for the return of non-contact organised sport both in the professional realm and at amateur level.
It is unclear if the ruling will allow the opening of golf courses and tennis courts to the general public.
“Public training, fitness and recreation facilities remain closed except those conducting non-contact sports matches, without spectators,” Dlamini-Zuma said.
“The Minister of Arts, Culture and Sports will elaborate on this.”
A lifeline for cricket
On the professional front only one of South Africa’s big three sports will be allowed to return. Cricket South Africa have been given a set of protocols and guidelines from the ICC, to help in their decision-making as they plan a return to play.
The Proteas are set to host India for a T20I series in August while their scheduled outbound tour to the Caribbean in July remains in limbo.
South African-based professional golf series the Sunshine Tour could restart with scaled-back events.
The regulations are set to allow small broadcast crews and limited journalists to attend the events.
The news also comes as a boost for organisers of the Durban July who were keen to avoid the first cancellation of the event since its inaugural running. The July was staged through both World Wars and its owners hope to stage a broadcast-only event in late July which now seems very much on the cards.
Contact sports have to wait
It seems that the regulations may allow professional contact sports to conduct group training, but not full contact and at this stage, they have not been cleared to stage matches.
The COVID-19 shutdown has decimated the South African rugby season and seriously hampered the Premier Soccer League and the domestic football structures beneath them.
SA Rugby had hoped to get a franchise rugby tournament underway in June, but they have been unable to adequately prepare and still do not have clearance to play.
It is clear that it will be some time before sports events will allow fans to return to the stands in full force but government have now opened the door for some sports to make a tentative comeback.
