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Back in business... SA Rugby welcomes return-to-train clearance

(Photo by Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images/Getty Images)

SA Rugby have welcomed an announcement in South Africa on Saturday that professional sports teams could begin the process of returning to training under level three lockdown easing. Nathi Mthethwa, the Minister for Sports, Arts and Culture, made the announcement at a briefing as he reported on his department’s Covid-19 sector relief fund.

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Mthethwa said sports teams had 14 days to submit proposals to the department on how they would ensure the safety of the players and officials. He also announced that non-contact sports could return to play if they observed all the necessary regulations.

This is the news sport has been waiting to hear as it allows us to begin to ramp up preparations for an eventual return-to-play,” said Jurie Roux, SA Rugby CEO. “We submitted a comprehensive, staged return-to-play protocols document to the department five weeks ago and we are ready to begin medical screening of players immediately.

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“We will seek further clarity from the department on the application of the guidelines as they apply to contact training. But this is an opportunity for our players to enhance their lockdown training regimes by increasing their fitness work for an eventual return to play.”

SA Rugby announced the suspension of all rugby on March 18 and have since been implementing budgetary cuts to help them balance their books as best as possible. In the industry salary plan (ISP) to deal with the repercussions of Covid-19, a 21-day window was created which allowed for players and staff to cancel their current contracts with immediate effect prior to a May 14 deadline.

Officials are looking to make overall savings of R1.2billion (£53.4m) by the end of 2020. “The economies will be achieved by reduced expenditure following the cancellation of competitions (49.7 per cent of savings), cuts in other operational budgets (37.3 per cent) and in salary reductions (13 per cent),” read a statement earlier this month.

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R
RedWarrior 57 minutes ago
Records show All Blacks' greatest rugby adversary is now Ireland

Foster was literally whinging about the TMO in the Ireland series in the presser AFTER the RWC final. NZs whinging about the final itself was apparently picked up by Voyager 2 which was near the asteroid belt. What about the whingefest and crybabies after O'Mahony's legendary sledge (during the match) on Sam Cane?


I often hear talk about NZ players being poisoned or similar nonsense during the 1995 final. NZ boast that they are 'superstars' and 'humble heroes' on their own website. You gave England the same treatment in 2002-2003, calling them arrogant just because they beat you. They told the rest of us then what you were like, we should have listened. I would give as much credence to a NZ supporter disliking us, as I would to Krusty the clown saying the same thing. Let's just say your judgement may not be the best.


Regarding 2016, as the referee had basically let NZ away with cheating their way to victory via filthy dangerous play and fouling he was hardly going to pull Sexton up when clearly trying to stop a grounding. NZ always leave the boot or arm in to hurt a try scorer but that seems to be invisible to you entitles lot.


BTW NZ have literally being whinging and crying about Ireland since Soldier field. You are just very bad losers. We will be delighted to be shot of you on Friday. I hope we do so with a win, so that you rethink your philosophy of mocking opponents and spectators you've just beaten.


After the match last Saturday the internet was full of Kiwi supporters basically abusing English folk. Where is your national honour? Where is your national integrity?

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