New Dates for Currie Cup climax || The Southern Times

Colleta Dewa

Johannesburg – South Africa Rugby has rescheduled the Currie Cup play-off dates to allow teams to manage challenges related to COVID-19 to ensure the tournament’s integrity.

SA Rugby said the semifinals – involving Vodacom Bulls, Xerox Lions, DHL Western Province and Cell C Sharks - would be played on January 23 and the final on January 30.

“COVID-19 precautionary measures have triggered the adjustment of the Carling Currie Cup playoff dates, with both semi-finals and the final now scheduled for a week later than initially planned,” said SA Rugby.

Director of rugby Rassie Erasmus said the integrity of the competition was a key area in discussions involving all stakeholders.

“We’ve agreed to move out the dates of the semi-finals and the final by a week to give all the teams the best possible chance to be ready for their matches, bearing in mind we did not have the option to move it out by weeks,” Erasmus said.

He added that if a team was unable to participate because of COVID-19 infections of players, the side would forfeit the match and the opposing team would progress to the final.

“If neither team is able to compete, the side with the most log points at the conclusion of the pool stage will progress to the final. Once the semifinals are completed and the final will have to be postponed, then both competing teams will agree on a suitable date for it to be held.”

Vodacom Bulls host Xerox Lions in Tswane, while DHL Western Province take on Cell C Sharks in Cape Town.

Defending champions Cheetahs dropped out at the conclusion of the pool stage, meaning a new Currie Cup champion will be crowned this season.