Mpumalanga clubs can’t wait for Covid-19 to be red carded
Time will tell if the league competitions will be played or not
Rugby has been played in the Lowveld for over 100 years.
While the season should have kicked off by now, club players are in lockdown, patiently waiting for what the future holds. The Covid-19 coronavirus lockdown could be extended and when and how restrictions will be lifted is not known.
In a press release on Tuesday, SA Rugby said: “All club and community rugby is still postponed until further notice and SA Rugby reiterates its plea to all clubs, teams, players and coaches to adhere to the lockdown rules”.
Can, and will, the 2020 season be salvaged for clubs in Mpumalanga?
After communication to the various clubs from the Mpumalanga Rugby Union (MRU) manager of amateur rugby, Roelof Kotze, the clubs have stated in unison that they want to play as soon as the situation allows it.
“We (MRU) want to know if the clubs would have a problem with postponing the season until later in the year and then playing with the same league formats (Premier League, Lowveld Mayor’s and Mayor’s Reserve League, and Highveld Mayor’s League and Mayor’s Reserve League). We will be guided by the lockdown and have ample time to prepare,” Kotze’s correspondence read.
Kotze’s predecessor at the MRU and Nelspuit Rugby Club stallwart Arrie Myburg said, “Brilliant suggestion. It would be good if we can adapt the fixtures not to clash with Pumas home games”.
Malelane Rugby Club’s Shayne Adcock said the club’s players would love to play and support a possible plan to complete a season, but there are logistical and time issues.
“Financial issues could be a problem. Sponsors are limited and who knows if they will still be on board. Also, the cricket and hockey seasons will have started. Many of our players also play cricket. There will be plenty of other issues to discuss and try and come up with a solution, but yes, the manne are lus to play a revised league,” said Adcock on Monday.
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Nelspruit coach Morné Crous said the club is keen to support any future plans to salvage the season.
“A worry is preparation. To get the guys contact-fit is a concern for us. We cannot just start playing. When we get back to practice, our main aim is to get contact-ready.
“This situation we find ourselves in makes us realise how privileged we are to play club rugby and to have fun without friends, brothers and teammates. The format (of a possible future league) does not matter, we just want to get back on the field and play,” said Crous.
Petrus Sambo of Matsulu Rugby Club said the club will support any plan to play the club season and will be prepared for it.
Barberton Rugby Club’s Michael Raath said, “Yes, the Barberton players are keen to play (a revised format). They are practising at home and staying fit. We will support any decisions made and future plans to play the league”.
According to Kotze, the Highveld rugby clubs have communicated a positive response to the possible new league schedule.
Further planning will only take place once the status of the Covid-19 restrictions allow for such plans to be put in place, or restrictions are lifted totally.
The role players of the amateur arm of the MRU and the clubs will then tackle what will be a very complicated matter. Player safety will be one of the main concerns and many other logistical and practical matters will be addressed.
A season starting mid- or late winter and running into spring or summer is a possibility.
Rugby players are strong-willed individuals – and where there is a will, there is a way.
