The disadvantage that South African teams are experiencing in the United Rugby Championship (URC) is set to continue with the confirmation that the European teams will not play matches in South Africa until next year.
Instead, the first two rounds of home games for the SA teams against overseas opposition will be played at European venues still to be confirmed, but probably in Italy.
This is despite Mzansi being removed from the UK’s red list for travel, which means the teams would no longer need to isolate for 10 days on their return home.
In the last weekend of November and the first weekend in December, the Scarlets, Cardiff, Munster and Zebre were scheduled to play in South Africa.
There has always been a contingency plan in place —destinations in Italy are earmarked for South African “home” games — and that plan is to be activated according to URC chief executive Martin Anayi.
Anayi says: “It’s great that they’re off the red list and that is likely to allow us to go to South Africa in the second half of the [2022] season and we’ll keep the games where they’re going to be in Europe for rounds six and seven.”
The Lions, Stormers, Sharks and Bulls conclude their four-match tours of Europe this weekend.
Mike Greenaway | [email protected]