Rainbow Cup in doubt with SA teams in the dark

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   https://citizen.co.za/sport/south-african-sport/rugby/2471338/rainbow-cup-in-doubt-with-sa-teams-in-the-dark/

European bosses feel the risk is too high for the SA teams to cross UK borders.
The future of the Rainbow Cup was thrown into more disarray and uncertainty over the weekend due to the impact of the global coronavirus pandemic.
Weekend reports indicated that the tournament was in renewed doubt because of concerns over travel arrangements and Covid measures ahead of the scheduled start on 24 April.
A Sunday newspaper claimed that the four SA franchises had apparently already been told they would be pulled out of the tournament due to the pandemic – but still needs to be confirmed by SA Rugby, which hasn’t happened yet.
While a remote chance existed that the competition could still be saved, a virtual meeting took place between SA Rugby and the ProRugby organisers on Wednesday last week.
Apparently the European bosses felt the risk was too high for the SA teams to enter the United Kingdom borders.
However SA Rugby is still to make a final decision, either this week or just prior to the start of the tournament, which is now less than two weeks away.
The first three rounds were supposed to take the form of local derbies, while rounds four to six were due to take place on European soil with the four SA teams to be accommodated in a bio-bubble in Bristol.
However there seems to be resistance from the British government to give the clearance due to an upsurge in reported cases in the UK which would make it impossible for the SA teams to travel abroad as planned.
The uncertainty over the Cheetahs next competition is also directly linked to the grey areas surrounding the Rainbow Cup.
If the Rainbow is canned, the four SA franchises will enter into another local competition with the Cheetahs, Griquas, Pumas and EP Elephants.
Cheetahs coach Hawies Fourie said earlier this competition would then probably be named the Franchise Cup.
However, if the Rainbow Cup continues, the Cheetahs and the other non-Rainbow Cup teams could compete for the Toyota Cup, while talks of the Intercontinental Cup will be re-opened.
The Lions were supposed to travel to Loftus on 24 April to take on the Bulls while the Stormers were due to host the Sharks at the Cape Town Stadium on the same date.
A fourth local competition is now back on the table after the Bulls won the Super Rugby Unlocked as well as the Currie Cup, followed by the Preparation Series. 

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Transvaal Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Joined: 30-Mar-2016 Status: Offline Points: 40233	Post Options Post Reply Quote Transvaal Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Rainbow Cup in doubt with SA teams in the dark Posted: 12-Apr-2021 at 8:16am
	https://citizen.co.za/sport/south-african-sport/rugby/2471338/rainbow-cup-in-doubt-with-sa-teams-in-the-dark/ European bosses feel the risk is too high for the SA teams to cross UK borders. The future of the Rainbow Cup was thrown into more disarray and uncertainty over the weekend due to the impact of the global coronavirus pandemic. Weekend reports indicated that the tournament was in renewed doubt because of concerns over travel arrangements and Covid measures ahead of the scheduled start on 24 April. A Sunday newspaper claimed that the four SA franchises had apparently already been told they would be pulled out of the tournament due to the pandemic – but still needs to be confirmed by SA Rugby, which hasn’t happened yet. While a remote chance existed that the competition could still be saved, a virtual meeting took place between SA Rugby and the ProRugby organisers on Wednesday last week. Apparently the European bosses felt the risk was too high for the SA teams to enter the United Kingdom borders. However SA Rugby is still to make a final decision, either this week or just prior to the start of the tournament, which is now less than two weeks away. The first three rounds were supposed to take the form of local derbies, while rounds four to six were due to take place on European soil with the four SA teams to be accommodated in a bio-bubble in Bristol. However there seems to be resistance from the British government to give the clearance due to an upsurge in reported cases in the UK which would make it impossible for the SA teams to travel abroad as planned. The uncertainty over the Cheetahs next competition is also directly linked to the grey areas surrounding the Rainbow Cup. If the Rainbow is canned, the four SA franchises will enter into another local competition with the Cheetahs, Griquas, Pumas and EP Elephants. Cheetahs coach Hawies Fourie said earlier this competition would then probably be named the Franchise Cup. However, if the Rainbow Cup continues, the Cheetahs and the other non-Rainbow Cup teams could compete for the Toyota Cup, while talks of the Intercontinental Cup will be re-opened. The Lions were supposed to travel to Loftus on 24 April to take on the Bulls while the Stormers were due to host the Sharks at the Cape Town Stadium on the same date. A fourth local competition is now back on the table after the Bulls won the Super Rugby Unlocked as well as the Currie Cup, followed by the Preparation Series.

Transvaal Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Joined: 30-Mar-2016 Status: Offline Points: 40233	Post Options Post Reply Quote Transvaal Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 12-Apr-2021 at 2:16pm
	https://citizen.co.za/sport/south-african-sport/rugby/2471725/cancelled-rainbow-cup-whats-at-stake-for-sa-rugby/ Cancelled Rainbow Cup? What’s at stake for SA Rugby Rugby in South Africa could be hit hard due to the financial impact, while the players can surely not continue to only face each other every week. If reports are to be believed, South Africa’s participation in the Rainbow Cup is in serious doubt. Should the four local teams – the Bulls, Lions, Sharks and Stormers – not play in the competition, SA Rugby and the players will feel the effects. Here The Citizen considers what is at stake. Impact of the cash loss for SA Rugby and the players The financial implications if the Rainbow Cup is scrapped could be catastrophic, especially after SA Rugby’s decision to turn their back on Super Rugby and head north. SA Rugby’s finances already took a blow due to the Cheetahs and Kings not playing in the last season of Pro14 because of the coronavirus pandemic. The loss of income through television rights has been massive. Furthermore, the franchises are finding it increasingly tough to pay their players due to a lack of international competition and it has become a big challenge to keep sponsors and stakeholders happy. The players could also face more pay cuts, something that already hit the players hard during the first wave of the coronavirus and the initial hard lockdown. ALSO READ: Rainbow Cup in doubt with SA teams in the dark Players not getting international exposure There are serious concerns about how battle-ready the top local players will be due to a lack of international competition. It’s all well and good that the national body has arranged local competitions to keep the players active, but local competition is simply not enough to keep the players on a high level and standard required to be on par with the overseas-based players in Europe. One’s got to wonder how motivated the players have been, and will be, to continue playing against one another week-in and week-out in another local competition. And what is the point? And if the British and Irish Lions do still come to South Africa in July, how ready will the local players really be, without being tested by strong international opposition? Will the Lions tour be affected by the Rainbow Cup? While the Lions tour has been given the go ahead to take place as originally scheduled the cancellation of the Rainbow Cup would reopen discussions about the Lions tour. If the England government is reluctant to clear the SA teams from entering the country for the Rainbow Cup, what assurances are in place to clear the Lions players leaving their country (and Europe)? We can’t ignore the fact that major issues around the Lions tour are still very much up in the air. This includes matters around air travel, accommodation, vaccinations, fan involvement, etc. SA Rugby desperately need the Lions tour to happen, but the cancellation of the Rainbow Cup could eventually have a ripple effect.

Rainbow Cup in doubt with SA teams in the dark

Cancelled Rainbow Cup? What’s at stake for SA Rugby

Impact of the cash loss for SA Rugby and the players

Players not getting international exposure

Will the Lions tour be affected by the Rainbow Cup?