Bulls de-facto champions after Sharks-Stormers cancelled

The Covid-19 pandemic continues to play havoc with rugby teams and inadvertently seems to have handed the Vodacom Bulls the Vodacom Super Rugby Unlocked trophy after a third match was cancelled on Tuesday.

The match between the Cell C Sharks and DHL Stormers in Durban was cancelled by SA Rugby after a number of Sharks players tested positive, meaning the Bulls have one hand on the trophy with two points likely to be awarded to both the Sharks and Stormers teams.

The Bulls are two points ahead in the standings, and while the points would bring the teams level, the Bulls have a 42-point points advantage on the log, and would take the trophy even if they lose their last game against the Phakisa Pumas.

That game has been pushed back to Saturday after a similar Covid outbreak at the Pumas last week caused the cancellation of their game against the Emirates Lions. Pumas players will finish their quarantine on Thursday and unless there are new cases, they will play their game against the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

Should the Bulls lose within 42 points, they will have the trophy and if there are new cases and the game is called off, the Bulls will still win the trophy as the two points given for the cancelled game will take them clear of the other sides in the competition.

SA Rugby Tuesday confirmed the cancellation, ad warned teams to “practice strict Covid-compliance measures to minimise the risk of infection.”

The Durban match has been cancelled following positive tests among the Cell C Sharks’ tighthead props.

“Players and management are urged to employ extreme caution in their social engagement,” said Jurie Roux, SA Rugby CEO.

“It only takes one careless interaction by a single player to have the knock-on effect that impacts on 45 other players, team managements, the schedule and potentially the destination of the title.

“As fit young athletes it may be tempting to think that they are ‘immune’ to infection and are free of comorbidities that make them vulnerable. But a positive test for one of them can have massive repercussions.

“I trust that team managements will underline that message on a daily basis to their playing personnel.”

The Sharks issued a statement saying they were “saddened” by the situation.

“The Cell C Sharks are obviously saddened by the cancellation of the match as we looked forward to hosting the DHL Stormers at Jonsson Kings Park this Saturday. We stringently follow the protocols set out by SARU and the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), and line with that protocol this decision was best for everyone concerned,” the statement read.

“Safety remains our No 1 priority and those that have tested positive in the team are isolating and will be monitored by our Team Doctor. The Sharks remain committed to fielding a competitive team for the start of the Carling Black Label Currie Cup next week.”

SA Rugby also confirmed the rescheduled Bulls-Pumas game for Saturday and said the Pumas will be re-tested on Thursday with the test results known on Friday.