Sa rugby
Lions tour set to take place as planned in South Africa
An eight-game tour is meant to see the Lions play three Tests against the Springboks, with the first and third in Johannesburg on 24 July and 7 August either...
SA Rugby CEO Jurie Roux has been ordered to repay R37 million to Stellenbosch University after an arbitrator found that he misappropriated funds during his time at the institution.
The Bulls, Lions, Sharks and Stormers will join 12 clubs from Ireland, Wales, Scotland and Italy in the competition.
It is the third time in a seven-round series between the top South African teams that a fixture has not been played because of public health concerns.
South Africa lifted their third World Cup a year ago in Japan, underlining the strength of rugby in the southern hemisphere whose teams have won all but one of the tournament's nine editions.
The Springboks pulled out of this year's Rugby Championship citing a lack of match practice due to the coronavirus pandemic, shortly after withdrawing most of their club teams from Super Rugby and seeking places in Europe's Pro14 competition.
No financial details were disclosed at the announcement in Johannesburg, but an official said the sponsorship will greatly reduce the competition costs incurred by SA Rugby.
Amateurs can train under strict health protocols because of the coronavirus pandemic, but are barred from playing.
South Africa were included with Australia, Argentina and New Zealand in the fixtures, but the organisers admitted last month that there were doubts about their participation.
The move means that the Cheetahs will miss out on a spot in the proposed PRO 16 competition, but in a statement the Free State franchise has negotiated its participation as a fifth franchise in a Super 8 competition.
The world champions are scheduled to play two matches each against Argentina, hosts Australia, and fierce rivals New Zealand between 7 November and 12 December.
SA Rugby president Mark Alexander said it was time to 'reconsider' a 'suitable and viable' rugby project for the Eastern Cape province.
Following the Super Fan Saturday matches in Pretoria (26 September) and the Springbok Showdown in Cape Town (3 October), the seven provincial teams will head into a double round of local action over 16 weekends with two trophies up for grabs, the Super Rugby Unlocked title and the Currie Cup.
SA Rugby added that details of the local competition, with each of the teams facing the others home and away and every side enjoying two byes during the competition, will be released in due course.
Sanzaar announced that the event would be held in Australia from 7 November to 12 December, however SA Rugby CEO, Jurie Roux did caution that the participation of defending champions, South Africa, still had to be confirmed.
The BLM movement has put a spotlight on the way societies treat people of colour around the world and in South Africa the debate has centred on sport.
SA Rugby has given professional franchise teams the green light to return to full contact training after all the players completed the necessary health checks and other protocols required.
Super Rugby sides the Bulls, Lions, Sharks and Stormers are set to tackle PRO14 outfit the Cheetahs, and domestic teams Pumas and Griquas in a local competition that SA Rugby had hoped would begin by the middle of next month.
The Kings have faced crippling financial woes in recent months after a failed takeover bid, leading South African Rugby to assume control in June.