SA Rugby planning internal Super Rugby competition set for August

SA Rugby has confirmed that it is currently planning its own internal Super Rugby competition which will, hopefully, commence in August.

However, unlike Super Rugby Aotearoa in New Zealand, South Africa’s competition will be played behind closed doors as the country is not expected to have stamped out Covid-19 by then.

The blueprint plans for the spectacle are subject to governmental procedures relevant to the gradual freeing up of the country from the lockdown constraints it currently finds itself under, however, August does seem feasible as sports, arts and culture minister Nathi Mthethwa allowed for contact sports to begin non-contact training at the end of May.

SA Rugby CEO Jurie Roux said:

"Our plan is to have a home-based, truncated, domestic version of Super Rugby for a period of time and then go into a Currie Cup competition as well as an Under-21 competition, following that on with international fixtures, pending a decision on border restrictions.

"Basically, you would have a Super Rugby version, based on the fact that the Kings and the Cheetahs will most likely be unable to travel to the north, with them being part of the competition for that month."

"The Springboks will absolutely be involved.

"We need them to get back to match fitness, to be slim and trim again after the lockdown and then we need to get them back to being contact fit and game fit, etc."