1
Springboks cancel training, confirm positive Tests in camp
By Ian Cameron
The Springboks have confirmed that three players have tested for Covid-19 and that they have cancelled their Sunday training as a pre-cautionary measure.
The timing of the outbreak is far from ideal for the Lions who are set to depart for South Africa. The country is enduring a third wave of the pandemic, with cases spiking in recent weeks.
The news confirmed rumours that began circulating on social media this morning, relating to an unspecified breakout in the squad.
A statement from SA Rugby reads: "The Springboks cancelled Sunday’s planned training session in Johannesburg as a precautionary measure when scheduled testing protocols returned three positive COVID-19 test results when the team assembled on Saturday.
"Three players tested positive for the virus following stringent real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing procedures on arrival at the team base.
"Team management immediately put the squad into self-isolation as a precaution until specialist medical advice is sought from the Castle Lager Lions Series Medical Advisory Group (MAG)."
"A decision on further team activities will be made shortly."
SA Rugby Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus emphasised that the team had followed all the necessary precautions since the start of the three-week conditioning camp hosted in Bloemfontein, which included mandatory COVID-19 testing three times a week, and that they would be led by specialist advice before any action is taken.
The revelation comes just hours after England A and Scotland A's match at Welford Road was called off after over a third of the Scottish squad tested positive for the virus.
The Boks are scheduled to go into a bio-secure environment along with the Lions, who were leaving for South Africa on Sunday, and are also due to play two Tests against Georgia on July 2 and 9, their first since they lifted the Rugby World Cup trophy in Japan in November 2019.
The Lions will play eight games on the tour, starting on Saturday against South Africa's Johannesburg-based Lions franchise. The three test matches against the Boks will be played on consecutive Saturdays from July 24.
additional reporting, AAP
Trending on RugbyPass
2
Saracens statement: The outcome of Billy Vunipola investigation
3
Ox Nche: 'The best feeling is squeezing a prop so hard he passes out'
4
RFU statement: Maro Itoje cited for yellow-carded tackle
5
Latest Comments
I’m looking forward to attending the Twickenham match, I don’t think it will have a bearing on the outcome of the grand prize itself but it will tell us more about each teams’ preparation and game plan. It’s hard to look past one of the big four (I’m including Canada) lifting the trophy in 2025 but sport is a curious thing, there will still be twists and turns in road ahead.
Go to commentsThe better side seems to be the losing side a lot these days. As far as narrative goes. Must be the big emergent culture of “participation awards” that have emerged in nanny states. ”It looked like New Zealand would take the game from there but lapses in execution let South Africa get back into the game. New Zealand’s goal kickers left five points out there, including a very make-able penalty on the stroke of half”. Sounds like a chronic problem… I wonder how the better team has lapses in concentration and execution? Or are those not important factors in the grand scheme of total performances? In 2023, the ABs at least didn’t give up a lead to lose. They just couldn’t execute to get the points and take the lead. This Baby AB result points to a choke - letting the game slip through your fingers. In the words of the great Ricky Bobby’s dad - “If you’re not 1st you’re last!” Loosely translated - if you didn’t win, you’re a loser.
Go to comments