The next two rounds of URC games to be played in South Africa have been postponed after the country was added to the UK Government’s red travel list.
A new coronavirus variant has been discovered and South Africa is one of six countries to be added to the list by UK officials.
The URC has responded accordingly, with the weekend games between Stormers and Zebre, Sharks and Scarlets, Bulls and Munster and Lions and Cardiff Blues all called off.
“The safety and well-being of our participating clubs’ players, coaches and support staff and match officials is the foremost priority and the URC is currently working with the four visiting clubs – Cardiff Rugby, Munster Rugby, Scarlets and Zebre Parma – to facilitate their return as soon as possible,” a statement from URC said.
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— United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial) November 26, 2021
“This decision is based upon the latest guidance against non-essential travel to and from South Africa, the ban on direct flights to the UK and other home destinations and the potential hotel quarantines enforced upon those returning from South Africa.
“As has been the operating practice throughout the pandemic, the URC will continue engaging with our Medical Advisory Group, our union shareholders and respective governments to plan according to the latest health guidelines.
“A period of assessment will now be required to better understand the impact of these new travel restrictions and how to reschedule these games within the current season. Given the nature and speed of these developments URC will provide further updates at the appropriate time through official channels only.”
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said on Friday the UK was “buying time” by adding South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini, Zimbabwe and Namibia to its travel red list, adding that the Government was taking a “safety-first approach” over the B.1.1.529 variant.
The European Tour – now known as the DP World Tour – has just commenced a three-week swing of events in South Africa and there were numerous withdrawals from the Joburg Open.
Englishmen Oliver Fisher, Steven Brown, Richard McEvoy, Matthew Jordan, Andrew Wilson, Matt Ford and Graeme Storm, Scots Richie Ramsay, Liam Johnston and Craig Howie, Northern Ireland’s Jonathan Caldwell and Cormac Sharvin and Welshman Oliver Farr, all pulled out of the tournament before the second round commenced on Friday, along with Irish pair Niall Kearney and Paul Dunne.
— Liam Johnston (@johnston_liam93) November 25, 2021
England’s Lee Slattery opted to begin his second round and will face a tough decision when it is completed.
Slattery’s manager Brendan Taylor, head of golf at the Wasserman Group, told the PA news agency: “Lee’s in a pretty tricky situation.
“He only decided to go down there at the last minute when his category got him in and was thinking of then trying to qualify for the South African Open and hope to get an invite for the Dunhill Championship.
“We’ve got him held on a flight tonight or he can take the decision to stay and try to earn some valuable Race to Dubai points and maybe come home via Dubai and do his quarantine there.
“I think that would mean getting home on December 23 which would probably sound good if he was single, but Lee’s got a wife and kids to think about.”
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