Springboks to resume training on Sunday following Covid outbreak
The Springboks will resume training on Sunday in preparation for the series against the British & Irish Lions.
The resumption of training follows six rounds of Covid-19 testing and a six-day preventative self-isolation period, which has cleared a large group of players to return to the field.
All the players and management who had Covid-19 Tests on Saturday returned negative test results, SA Rugby said on Saturday.
The players who tested positive were Springbok captain Siya Kolisi, Dan du Preez, Ox Nché, Bongi Mbonambi, Scarra Ntubeni and winger Makazole Mapimpi.
With two hookers and props among the positive test results and all the players who tested positive, Sharks hooker Fez Mbatha and Bulls prop Lizo Gqoboka have been drafted into the squad as cover.
SA Rugby Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus will take the lead at the field training sessions while Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber continues his self-isolation.
“We are delighted to be able to return to the field and resume our preparations for the Castle Lager Lions Series,” said Nienaber, who was in good spirits despite being in self-isolation.
“It has been a challenging week with the Test against Georgia cancelled and the entire squad self-isolating for a few days as a preventative measure, so the players cannot wait to get back on the park.
“It is also great to have Rassie (Erasmus) steering the ship while I am away. He has been part of the system for several years now and he guided most of these players to the Rugby World Cup title in 2019, so the team is in great hands.”
The first of the three Test matches against the Lions will be played in June 24.
