Two weeks ago, SA Rugby announced that club rugby, from u.19 level upwards, will be permitted to move to contact training (Phase 2 of the integrated return to train and play) from Monday 15 March, provided all players had undertaken non-contact training for at least four weeks.

However, schools and junior club teams (u.18 and below) are not permitted to move to Phase 2 of the training strategy, and no amateur rugby matches are allowed to take place (clubs, schools and associations) for the time being.

Clubs must strictly adhere to all the Covid-19 protocols and any club player wishing to continue to contact training must have completed the compulsory four-week block of non-contact training.

The SA Rugby Exco approved the recommendations that clubs and associations (above U18 level) can start making contact at training, but prohibited any form of matches – friendly or competitive – at amateur level. This excludes non-contact versions of rugby, namely TAG and Touch, which are allowed to stage matches, without any supporters.

“The final decision regarding whether a club can start non-contact training or continue to contact training will rest with the relevant union and/or the chairperson or compliance officer of the specific club,” said Jurie Roux, CEO of SA Rugby.

Schools rugby falls under the auspices of the Department of Basic Education (DBE) and will remain on non-contact training until such a time that the DBE permits these teams to progress in their preparations. These restrictions include all club sides from u.8 to u.18 level too.

“We are expecting a decision by the DBE on the next steps for schools in due course and are working closely with the relevant stakeholders to ensure swift progress in this regard,” Roux remarked.

The management of the Blue Bulls Rugby Union is meanwhile working hard to plan for the leagues that will start as soon as the green light is received from the government and SA Rugby. The return to play for amateur rugby (Phase 3) will be discussed and considered early next month, to ensure a decision is made for a possible start by the middle of April 2021.

However, the Blue Bulls have announced that the Carlton Cup league will be expanded to seven teams this year. Pretoria Rugby Club, which has made huge progress in 2018 and 2019 after several difficult and even dormant seasons, is back in the Carlton Cup league.

The same goes for the Tuine Grizzlies Rugby Club, which has many active players and has also – just as Pretoria Rugby Club – performed consistently well in recent years in both the Blue Bulls President League and the Interprovincial Volcano Cup Series.

The Blue Bulls’ management is especially excited about the new u.20 league, which is attracting a lot of interest among all clubs – even clubs in the townships and also in Limpopo. Due to the change in structures and contracting models at the professional unions, a union like the Blue Bulls’ u.20 club league should be teeming with talented players this year. Talent seekers and recruiters from all other unions – big and small – will probably keep a close eye on this league in search of players.

Do you have more information about the story?

Please send us an email to editorial@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.

For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East

For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram