Virtually all professional sport in South Africa came to a halt on Monday as the nation hunkers down to tackle the coronvirus pandemic.
Soccer, rugby, cricket and everything in between has taken urgent steps to stop the spread of Covid-19.
The South African Football Association (Safa), SA Rugby (Saru) and Cricket SA have all revealed how they will protect their players, staff and fans.
%%%twitter https://twitter.com/hashtag/CSAnews?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CSAnewsCricket South Africa terminates all forms of cricket to minimize the impact of the corona virus.
- List A cricket
- All semi-professional and provincial cricket
- All Junior and Amateur cricket
Full statement: https://t.co/Wu7UHrYR57 pic.twitter.com/wUVqHVrHSw
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA)
Safa shut down all football activities while the PSL has suspended the league notice until further and discontinued the Diski Challenge with immediate effect.
PSL Chairman Dr Khoza’s Address
— Official PSL (@OfficialPSL) March 16, 2020
https://t.co/qfYsf7OpOl
PSL chairman Irvin Khoza told the media that Tuesday evening’s (Mamelodi Sundowns v Orlando Pirates) and Wednesday’s (Kaizer Chiefs v Wits) heavyweight clashes and this weekend’s fixtures would be postponed.
NO FINALS: Sisanda Magala. Picture: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix.
He added that the league would have a board meeting on Thursday to plot the way forward for the rest of the season.
TESTING: Blitzbok Branco du Preez. Picture: BakpagePix.
SA Rugby gave an update on its new policy, following Super Rugby’s suspension at the weekend, in which CEO Jurie Roux said that all Springbok Sevens and Pro14 players will be tested for coronavirus infection following their recent international travels, while Super Rugby teams have gone into self-isolation.
%%%twitter https://twitter.com/hashtag/COVID19?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#COVID19pandemic
❌ All national team training camps and business travel suspended
❌ Competitive rugby across the country off until 25 April at the earliest
🔗 https://t.co/lFCEFIZ0HS pic.twitter.com/ES6KEPbzkr
— Springboks (@Springboks)
CSA suspended all cricket ahead of this week’s 1Day Cup semifinals for the next 60 days, with the Proteas set return from their disrupted three-match ODI tour to India on Wednesday.