Photo Credit: Speedshots.co.za
Since South Africa has moved to Covid19 level 1 on Monday, everybody is working behind the scenes to ensure a speedy start to the 2021 schoolboy rugby season.
Special thanks must go to SARU and SASRA (SA Schools Rugby Association) who immediately started working and communicating with the Department of Basic Education since the return to Covid19 Level 1.
Current Level 1 restrictions in place only allow inter-school non-contact sports activities permitted at all levels without any spectators. A limit of 500 people or less in the case of outdoor activities.
SARU and SASRA requested that this be changed to -"return to contact and playing matches will be allowed to continue/start subject with compliance to hygiene and safety measures to prevent and combat the spread of COVID-19 are adhered to."
Return to Play Timeline:
12/02/2021 - Non Contact training for rugby allowed. Schools must notify their local Unions of their intent to start training.
08/02/2021 - Meeting SARU and SASRA
15/03/2021 - Contact training for rugby can start automatically. Schools must notify their local unions of their intent to start contact training.
15/03/2021 - Expected date for DME to announce changes in Covid19 level 1 per government Gazette, protocol as per SARU and SASRA recommendations.
We explain the expected announcement and protocols
17/04/2021 - First matches of the year.
Only two of the several youth weeks is expected to be hosted.
12 - 17 July 2021 - u/16 Grant Khomo Week at a coastal venue.
19-24 July 2021 - u/18 Craven Week with only Western Province allowed two teams hosted at Monnas.
Other questions answered:
1) Restrictions on hostels will be the same as currently during "normal" circumstances.
2) Cross-border travel will be allowed.
3) It was suggested that the maximum people allowed could be restricted to 250 but currently it does stand at 500 (this will be fantastic as it will allow more boys to play if left at 500).
Please remember that the abovementioned information is based on information provided by reliable sources but may change at any time.