Planet Rugby Forum

The Lions have confirmed that nine players have been ruled out of their encounter with the Cheetahs as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak in the team.

The Lions host the Cheetahs in a Super Rugby Round Three encounter at Ellis Park on Saturday.

Lions team doctor Rob Collins confirmed that four players have tested positive and one of those players represented with ‘mild’ symptoms on Monday, which is within the 48-hour window of the match against the Stormers.

Having followed the prescribed protocols and tracing the people those players have been in close contact with, it has resulted in nine players being placed in isolation for the next 10 days.

This is a developing story!

Only four players have actually tested positive, but the rest of the players have been withdrawn because they were in contact with the players who tested positive.’

handyman wrote: ↑Thu Oct 22, 2020 12:04 pm HKGK.

ZuluBoy wrote: ↑Thu Oct 22, 2020 3:35 pm Although 9 were unavailable for Lions they don't have a bad team at all. David Kriel the decision maker, who knows, might go well.
Sharks also a better team than the one that turned up for Superfan day.
Stormers will find the going tough against the Pumas but I think they will win it.

Jensrsa wrote: ↑Thu Oct 22, 2020 10:58 am Sharks to Bulls: 15 Manie Libbok, 14 Sibusiso Nkosi, 13 Lukhanyo Am (captain), 12 Marius Louw, 11 Werner Kok, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Sanele Nohamba, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Phepsi Buthelezi, 6 James Venter, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Dylan Richardson, 1 Ox Nché.
Replacements: 16 Kerron van Vuuren, 17 Mzamo Majola, 18 John-Hubert Meyer, 19 JJ van der Mescht, 20 Henco Venter, 21 Grant Williams, 22 Jeremy Ward, 23 Yaw Penxe.

Date: Saturday, October 24
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kick-off: 19.00 (17.00 GMT)
Referee: Jaco Peyper
Assistant referees: Marius van der Westhuizen, Paul Mente
TMO: AJ Jacobs

Jensrsa wrote: ↑Fri Oct 23, 2020 8:01 pm Pumas just don't have the squad to play at that pace for 80 minutes. Once their bench comes on they are gone

OomStruisbaai wrote: ↑Fri Oct 23, 2020 8:12 pm

Jensrsa wrote: ↑Fri Oct 23, 2020 8:01 pm Pumas just don't have the squad to play at that pace for 80 minutes. Once their bench comes on they are gone

The Stormers also don't have big depth. JD should start, vd Merwe should rotate with Ramoet not JD. Great 4 points, far from perfect and lots of hard work.

Jensrsa wrote: ↑Fri Oct 23, 2020 8:23 pm

OomStruisbaai wrote: ↑Fri Oct 23, 2020 8:12 pm

Jensrsa wrote: ↑Fri Oct 23, 2020 8:01 pm Pumas just don't have the squad to play at that pace for 80 minutes. Once their bench comes on they are gone

The Stormers also don't have big depth. JD should start, vd Merwe should rotate with Ramoet not JD. Great 4 points, far from perfect and lots of hard work.

You mean lucky 4 points. Great help from the WP ref

Midfieldmaestro wrote: ↑Sat Oct 24, 2020 3:29 am Dis die tmo wat daai laaste fwd pass drie gegee het
maar Poemas kon wp al lankal weggebere het net nie hul kanse gebruik nie. Hoop nie Eddie Fouche' is ernstig beseer nie. Poemas was die beter span by verre

Super Rugby Unlocked match between Lions and Cheetahs scheduled for Ellis Park on Saturday has been called off in line with COVID-19 protocols.

The decision was taken as part of prescribed precautions advised by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) to limit the risk of further infection in the rugby community.

The cancellation was triggered on Saturday morning following the receipt of results from a second batch of tests on Lions senior squad playing and coaching personnel, which revealed two further positive cases. The tests had been prompted by the recording of four other positive tests among the same group earlier in the week.

The players who tested positive and identified close contacts are isolating and quarantining according to Department of Health guidelines. The players are in good health and are being monitored by the team doctor.

If the fixture cannot be-rescheduled, both teams will take two points.

“Containing the spread of the disease is a national imperative and this first impact on the rugby schedule is a stark reminder of how vigilant our community has to be and how rigorous we must be in following the rules,” said Jurie Roux, SA Rugby CEO.

“Safety comes first, and although it is extremely disappointing for all concerned, it is a reminder to our teams and players of the role their actions will play in avoiding the risk of more cancellations.

“Despite having followed the advisory precautions and the plans that were approved by the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture (DSAC), we will take this opportunity to review them and strengthen them if required.”

ZuluBoy wrote: ↑Sat Oct 24, 2020 6:56 pm Game will depend on who scores first after HT

ZuluBoy wrote: ↑Sat Oct 24, 2020 7:37 pm Bulls taking Shar...Shads to cleaners