Currently, schoolboy rugby is only allowed to train without contact. However, a leaked Government Gazette that gives permission to all non-contact and contact sports to resume immediately is doing the rounds.
It must be remembered that the proposed changes will only come into effect once the Gazette is published AND SARU and the SA Schools Rugby Association gives the go-ahead.
Substitution of direction 11 of Directions
4. Direction 11 of the Directions is hereby substituted for the following direction:
“11. Sport and extracurricular activities
(1) All non-contact and contact sport, including competitive events and matches, may resume activity without spectators.
(2) Subject to sub-directions (4) and (6), and in compliance with social distancing, hygiene and safety measures in the DBE Standard Operating Procedures to prevent and combat the spread of COVID-19, contact sport, non-contact sport including training, intra and inter-school matches, and all arts and culture intra and inter-school activities, may resume without any spectators.
(3) The following safety measures must be adhered to when resuming the activities contemplated in sub-direction (3):
(a) The number of persons in the sporting venues, change rooms or training areas, at any given time, must not be more than 50% of the
capacity of the venue with persons observing the social distancing requirements;
(b) face masks must be worn by all persons entering the sporting venues, change rooms or training areas, except when participating in
training or matches;
(c) there must be sufficient quantities of hand sanitizers, with at least 70% alcohol content, available for use by all officials, coaches,
assistants, learners and participants;
(d) there must be facilities for washing of hands with soap and water;
(e) all windows and doors must remain open, where feasible, to ensure adequate ventilation;
(f) social distancing must be maintained at all times; and
(g) the sharing of drinks and drinks containers are not allowed.
(4) The school must ensure that sporting venues, tools and equipment are cleaned and sanitized before and after any sporting activities.
(5) National, provincial, district championships and tournaments for both contact and non-contact sport that require learners to travel to other schools or provinces may resume provided the number of participants does not exceed the 100 persons for an outdoor activity and 50 persons for an indoor activity.
(6) Subject to strict adherence to all social distancing, hygiene and safety measures, co-curricular and enrichment programmes, such as oral history, spelling bee, moot court, speech contests, debates and school clubs, may resume activities including competitive inter-school events and engagements.
(7) Choir practice or rehearsals and choir competitions may resume in well ventilated areas or outdoors with all participants maintaining social distancing