SA Rugby has confirmed the start date for the local rugby season and launched a one-off exhibition match that will mark the return of the game within South African Shores. Finally, the wait is over, and we will now get to witness some oval ball action, sadly despite the President announcing the ease of lockdown regulations to Level 1 on Wednesday evening, Fans will not be allowed in the stadium yet. The waiting game continues for our fans, but we grateful that at least our favourites will be back on the field.
No competitive rugby action has been possible in the country since March, when a national lockdown was first declared.
The hiatus in action meant that the Super Rugby season was cut short after just a handful of match days.
Springbok Showdown marks rugby’s return. The long wait rugby fans have had to endure will finally come to an end on the first weekend of October.
This is after SA rugby made the announcement on Wednesday that two teams, made up of Springbok stars alongside up and coming talent will lock horns at Newlands on the 3rd of October.
One team (Springboks Green) will be coached by Bok assistant Mzwandile Stick, while former Kings mentor Deon Davids will coach the other (Springboks Gold). Also acting as the matches commissioners for either side will be the director of rugby, Rassie Erasmus and Bok coach Jacques Nienaber.
Erasmus said the initiative will provide the players with an opportunity to shake off the dust after months of inactivity.
“The players will be encouraged to showcase their skills – individually and in their teams – and while it will be full-on, we expecting to see a highly competitive match of quality players against each other,” he said.
Resumption of the local season!
It was also confirmed that the local rugby season would kick-off on Saturday, 26 September – a week before the Springbok Showdown.
The opening weekend will be marked by a double-header in Gauteng, which will pit the Bulls against the Sharks at Loftus Versfeld, while the Lions will host the stormers at Ellis Park.
These, however, will fall outside a double-leg competition, which kicks off on 10 October, ending on 23 January.
SA Rugby CEO Jurie Roux confirmed also that there has been no confirmation made in terms of when the Springboks would return to action.
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