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SA Rugby rejig Super Rugby Unlocked to prepare players for British and Irish Lions tour

Siya Kolisi, the South Africa captain, celebrates with team mates after their victory during the Rugby World Cup 2019 final. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

SA Rugby have confirmed the kick-off of the 2021 season with a number of preparation fixtures for eight provincial teams ahead of the British and Irish Lions series.

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According to the union, national planning “focuses on entry to the international Rainbow Cup and the Springboks’ forthcoming Test season, starting with the series against the British and Irish Lions,” despite considerable doubt still hanging over the tour.

The series of encounters have been specifically designed by the Rugby Department of SA Rugby and the competing unions to meet teams’ high performance needs against the landscape of the pandemic and to prepare them for the coming season.

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      One significant change is that teams will play on a ten-day cycle (rather than each week) to manage COVID testing protocols.

      The eight teams – the EP Elephants join the seven sides that competed in Vodacom Super Rugby Unlocked and the Carling Currie Cup from October last year – have been split into two groups and will play cross-pool matches between 27 February and 27 March, ensuring four encounters for every side.

      Pool A will consist of the Vodacom Bulls, Lions, Tafel Lager Griquas and Toyota Cheetahs, and they will play the four sides in Pool B, namely the Cell C Sharks, DHL Stormers, NNC Pumas and Eastern Province Elephants.

      Venues and kick-off times must still be confirmed, but the four matches in the opening round will see the Vodacom Bulls host the EP Elephants, the Lions take on the NNC Pumas, the Cell C Sharks squaring off against Tafel Lager Griquas, and DHL Stormers up against the Toyota Cheetahs.

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      “It’s imperative that we get the new season underway as soon as possible as we have a big year ahead, with preparing our players for the British and Irish Lions a top priority, but also providing opportunities for all teams to get match fit with an eye on entry into European competitions, and our planned local season,” said Rassie Erasmus, Director of Rugby.

      “These matches will provide our top players with further opportunities to test themselves against the best in South Africa, while our match officials will also get some valuable game-time under the belt.”

      Preparation series fixtures (home teams named first, kick-off times and venues to be confirmed):

      Saturday 27 February
      Vodacom Bulls v EP Elephants
      Lions v NNC Pumas

      Sunday 28 February
      Cell C Sharks v Tafel Lager Griquas
      DHL Stormers v Toyota Cheetahs

      Tuesday 9 March
      Toyota Cheetahs v Cell C Sharks
      Tafel Lager Griquas v DHL Stormers

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      Wednesday 10 March
      NNC Pumas v Vodacom Bulls
      EP Elephants v Lions

      Friday 19 March
      Vodacom Bulls v DHL Stormers
      Lions v Cell C Sharks

      Saturday 20 March
      NNC Pumas v Toyota Cheetahs
      EP Elephants v Tafel Lager Griquas

      Saturday 27 March
      Toyota Cheetahs v EP Elephants
      Tafel Lager Griquas v NNC Pumas
      Cell C Sharks v Vodacom Bulls
      DHL Stormers v Lions

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