Sharks fullback Aphelele Fassi (R) and Jaguares Argentine back Emiliano Boffelli fights for the ball during the Super Rugby match between the Sharks of South Africa and the Jaguares of Argentina at the Kings Park Rugby Stadium in Durban on March 7, 2020. (Photo by ANESH DEBIKY / AFP)
Rugby may be played behind closed doors until vaccine is developed
World Rugby issued a set of ‘return to play’ guidelines this week which suggest that elite matches may be played without fans in attendance for some time.
Sharks fullback Aphelele Fassi (R) and Jaguares Argentine back Emiliano Boffelli fights for the ball during the Super Rugby match between the Sharks of South Africa and the Jaguares of Argentina at the Kings Park Rugby Stadium in Durban on March 7, 2020. (Photo by ANESH DEBIKY / AFP)
Professional rugby matches are not likely to admit fans until an effective coronavirus vaccine is available.
World Rugby issued a set of ‘return to play’ guidelines this week which suggest that the 2020 November Tests, 2021 Six Nations and possibly even the 2021 British and Irish Lions tour will be played behind closed doors.
World Rugby release guidelines for return to play
The guidelines were compiled by four medical experts; Eanna Falvey, Prav Mathema, Mary Horgan and Martin Raftery. They were issued to all World Rugby member unions.
The guidelines also advise that no competitive matches should even take place until governments allow gatherings of 250 people. When gatherings of up to 50 people are allowed, professional teams are advised they may resume full squad training but World Rugby warns “if a player or staff becomes an infected person each other player and staff member would be close contacts and will require testing and quarantine”.
For players a return to training will be far from a return to normal as they submit to daily screening, frequent testing and limit physical contact while training.
Players will be required to practice social distancing protocols and wear masks, even while engaged in training.
World Rugby has recommended that competitive matches should only return once there is full agreement between unions, players, coaches and the competition organisers.
The global rugby oversight body urged local organisers to stagger the players return to group training.
Unions can only consider staging Test matches can only once countries relax border-control measures.
SA hope to get domestic tournament off the ground
SA Rugby remains hopeful of putting together a broadcast only franchise tournament to replace Super Rugby and bring in some vital TV money to keep the sport alive and well.
It is unclear at what stage of the lockdown South Africa would permit sports events to be staged with both football and rugby keen to get back onto the field.
Premier Soccer League representatives will meet with the South African Ministry of Health to discuss the next steps. Major sporting bodies have been placed under tremendous financial stress by the shutdown of competition with many standing to lose millions if not billions in TV rights money.
South Africa’s professional rugby players have agreed to take a pay cut, while as a cost-cutting measure, SA Rugby agreed to release players who wanted to negotiate new deals with clubs from Europe or Japan.
