Sporting events in South Africa were thrown into turmoil on Thursday after the British government announced it was putting the country back on the “red list” after confirmed cases of the coronavirus.
The variant, officially known as B.1.1.529 and potentially named Nu, has scientists concerned due to its large number of mutations and significant increase in the number of cases in South Africa. It was originally seen in Botswana.
Two Welsh rugby teams, Cardiff and the Scarlets, have withdrawn from scheduled matches in the United Rugby Championship and announced plans to return home as soon as possible.
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Sixteen British players withdrew after the first round of the Joburg Open golf tournament, the first event on the new DP World Tour, and are expected to return to the UK to avoid the mandatory two-week quarantine. Ta.
The quarantine requirements go into effect Sunday.
The Scarlets were due to play the Sharks in Durban on Saturday, while Cardiff were due to play the Lions in Johannesburg on Sunday.
Irish team Munster and Italy's Zebre were also in South Africa for Saturday's games against the Bulls and Stormers.
It has not been announced at this time whether the games against Munster and Zebre will take place. Munster issued a statement saying their players were “safe and well” in Pretoria. The club said it was working with championship organizers and would provide an update at a later date.
A spokesperson for the Sunshine Tour, which jointly sanctioned the South African leg of the World Tour, said officials from both organizations were meeting to discuss the latest developments and expected to issue a statement later on Friday. Ta.
Two further tournaments are scheduled for South Africa over the next two weeks, the South African Open and the Alfred Dunhill Championship, and a spokesperson said the tournaments are expected to go ahead at this stage.
The South African cricket team played a one-day international against the Netherlands in Centurion on Friday, but the Espncricinfo website said it had not yet been decided whether two more matches would be played in the series.
The coronavirus scare could also jeopardize India's high-profile tour of South Africa starting December 17. The tour will include three Test matches, three One-Day Internationals and four Twenty20 Internationals.
