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News24.com | FIFA approves SA billionaire Patrice Motsepe’s run for CAF presidency

You Need Posted on 27/01/2021 by vrapto27/01/2021

Patrice Motsepe

Patrice Motsepe

Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images

The South African Football Association (SAFA) received a major boost after world footballing body FIFA approved Mamelodi Sundowns’ billionaire boss Patrice Motsepe’s candidacy for the vacant role of CAF president.

“We refer to our correspondence dated 12 January 2021 regarding the subject matter. In this regard, we kindly inform you that the Review Committee has declared you eligible for the position of CAF President and FIFA vice-president,” FIFA said in a statement on Wednesday.

Motsepe’s opponents for the prestigious position will be Mauritania’s Ahmed Yahya, Ivorian Jacques Anouma and Senegal FA president Augustin Senghor.

Earlier this month, CAF revealed in a statement that Motsepe and Yahya’s candidacy needed “further checks” before both individuals could be considered for the position.

With everything now in the clear courtesy of FIFA’s Review Committee, the election process will take place on 12 March 2021.

The newly elected CAF president will automatically fill the role as the vice-president of FIFA.

– Compiled by Sport24 staff

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News24.com | Liverpool’s woes continue as Bruno Fernandes fires Man United to victory in FA Cup thriller

You Need Posted on 24/01/2021 by vrapto24/01/2021

Manchester Uniteds Bruno Fernandes celebrates scoring his sides third goal of the game during the Emirates FA Cup fourth round match at Old Trafford, Manchester. Picture date: Sunday January 24, 2021. (Photo by Martin Rickett/PA Images via Getty Images)

Manchester Uniteds Bruno Fernandes celebrates scoring his sides third goal of the game during the Emirates FA Cup fourth round match at Old Trafford, Manchester. Picture date: Sunday January 24, 2021. (Photo by Martin Rickett/PA Images via Getty Images)

Martin Rickett

Bruno Fernandes’s stunning free-kick inflicted more misery on Liverpool as Manchester United progressed to the fifth round of the FA Cup with a thrilling 3-2 win at Old Tafford on Sunday.

Both sides struggled to create chances in a cagey 0-0 draw when they met in the Premier League last weekend.

But there was no repeat of that caution in a wide-open contest that ended Liverpool’s hopes of a first domestic cup win under Jurgen Klopp for another season.

The English champions lost a league game at Anfield for the first time in nearly four years to Burnley on Thursday to fall six points behind United at the top of the table.

In response, Klopp named a strong side despite making five changes as Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino returned.

Liverpool’s only goals in their previous five games came against an Aston Villa youth team in the last round of the FA Cup after Dean Smith’s side were struck down by a coronavirus outbreak.

But shades of the side that stormed to a first league title in 30 years last season were restored even if Klopp’s wait for a first win at Old Trafford goes on.

Firmino and Salah combined perfectly for the opener on 18 minutes as the Brazilian’s pass opened up the United defence and the Egyptian provided a dinked finish over Dean Henderson.

United have made a habit of coming from behind to win this season and took just eight minutes to hit back.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer handed Fernandes a rare rest from the start, but still picked a side packed with firepower featuring Marcus Rashford, Mason Greenwood, Edinson Cavani and Paul Pogba.

Rashford’s raking cross-field pass just evaded James Milner and Greenwood did not look like a striker lacking confidence as he fired past Alisson Becker for his first goal in 11 games.

A number of injuries to centre-backs have disrupted Liverpool’s season with Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez expected to miss the rest of the season, while Joel Matip has struggled to stay fit.

Klopp has been forced to field two midfielders in Jordan Henderson and Fabinho together at the heart of the defence in recent weeks and the performance of 19-year-old Rhys Williams showed why the German has been reluctant to rely on his young centre-backs.

Williams failed to cut out Greenwood’s through ball for Rashford three minutes into the second half and the England international composed himself before slotting past the advancing Alisson.

This time, United’s momentum was short-lived as Milner should have levelled for Liverpool when he spooned a glorious chance over from close range, but quickly made amends by teeing up Salah to smash home his second just before the hour mark.

Both managers turned to their match winners off the bench for the final half-hour as Klopp first turned to Sadio Mane before Fernandes made his entrance.

Trent Alexander-Arnold stung the palms of Henderson, who then saved twice from Salah as Liverpool’s attack began to click back into gear.

But it was Fernandes who won the game with a brilliant free-kick 12 minutes from time.

This week will be the first anniversary of the Portuguese’s arrival from Sporting Lisbon that has transformed United’s fortunes.

A year ago, United trailed Liverpool by 30 points in the Premier League having played two games more.

The past seven days have shown they are now more than a match for their old rivals.

Fernandes’s strike was a worthy winner of a thrilling tie as he used Pogba to unsight Alisson and fired the ball low into the Brazilian’s left-hand corner.

United will face West Ham in the last 16 next month.

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News24.com | ‘Operating on another level’ – Jake hails Duane as Bulls’ real hero in semi-final win

You Need Posted on 23/01/2021 by vrapto23/01/2021

Duane Vermeulen led from the front (Gallo Images)

Duane Vermeulen led from the front (Gallo Images)

  • Bulls mentor Jake White singled out skipper Duane Vermeulen as the true hero in his team’s Currie Cup semi-final triumph over the Lions on Saturday.
  • White said the Springbok stalwart operated at “another level” and that his calm leadership was crucial in the victory.
  • But the praise wasn’t just reserved for the seniors as rookies such as Stravino Jacobs also made their mark.

Despite the claims from various younger members of his team, Jake White had little hesitation anointing his Bulls captain, Duane Vermeulen, as the true hero of his team’s Currie Cup semi-final triumph over the Lions on Saturday.

The evergreen 34-year-old Springbok stalwart proved to be a proverbial silent assassin, saving his best work out of sight and having a galvanising effect as leader.

His influence was never more apparent than in the 56th minute of the 26-21 victory at Loftus, when – following the Lions’ short burst of two tries to tie things up at 14-all and a rare missed kick at goal from flyhalf Morne Steyn – he chose to go for touch.

It was a situation that seemingly cried out for another shot at goal, but Vermeulen had other ideas.

By the end of the attacking line-out, replacement hooker Johan Grobbelaar had rounded off a potent rolling maul.

“Yeah, from the coaches box we probably felt that we should’ve gone for the three points, but I suppose you have to trust a World Cup winner who was Man-of-the-Match in the final,” White said afterwards.

“You’ve got to have an understanding that a captain has on-field intuition. Duane knows what’s going on, he probably had a sense too that certain things were working. And you’ve got to trust him.”

The reward of that decision reinforced that Vermeulen’s choice as captain for the start of the White era has been merited.

“Never underestimate what a good captain means to a team,” said White.

“Duane was outstanding. The way in which he handled things, how he talked to the players, it’s inspiring. Remember, after 2 minutes in the second half, we were 14-0 ahead. A few minutes later, it was 14-all. 

“It’s a great thing if your captain can still show calmness in a situation like that. But Duane also mentioned in the changeroom afterwards that he might’ve come up with the words, but that he’s just grateful to see how the rest of the team responded, how determined they were to pull things through.”

That’s not necessarily a tough thing to do when your leader is performing well himself.

“Let’s not forget that Duane played really well too. He definitely made an impact as player too, not just as leader,” said White.

“I’m confident the Lions saw today that he was actually operating on another level. And that’s what you want, you want your best players to perform in these crunch games. You want them delivering their best.

“Duane was one of them. Cornal Hendricks was the official Man-of-the-Match, Ivan van Zyl played well and Morne shrugged off some missed kicks to play well in general. 

“It’s great to see your senior players taking the lead.”

Yet White was also more than willing to single out his youngsters who performed with distinction, particularly 20-year-old winger Stravino Jacobs, who finished with a brace.

“He should’ve had a hat-trick, I don’t know what went through his mind,” said the Bulls’ director of rugby, referring to Jacobs knocking the ball on over the line for one of his scores.

“He’s just come out junior rugby, same as David Kriel. Kurt-Lee Arendse is new to fifteens and was out for a while. They’re going to make mistakes, but to see their work ethic is amazing.”

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News24.com | Sharks enter into global partnership with Roc Nation

You Need Posted on 22/01/2021 by vrapto22/01/2021

Sharks flyhalf Curwin Bosch embraces teammate Yaw Penxe.

Sharks flyhalf Curwin Bosch embraces teammate Yaw Penxe.

(Steve Haag/Gallo Images)

  • The Sharks have announced a new global partnership with the internationally acclaimed agency Roc Nation.
  • This follows the news earlier in the month that American company MVM Holdings had acquired a 51% controlling share in the Sharks.
  • Roc Nation boasts Springboks Siya Kolisi and Cheslin Kolbe as its clients.

The Sharks on Friday announced a new global partnership with the internationally acclaimed agency, Roc Nation.

The Durban franchise announced on its official website that the “partnership will ensure the strength and growth of the Sharks as an international sporting brand of choice”.

Roc Nation is one of the world’s leading entertainment companies, forming a unique and tangible partnership with the Sharks driven by innovation, community, and integrity.

A statement from the Sharks read: “With a strong culture of inclusivity underpinned by diversity, The Sharks have stood at the forefront of creating opportunities since the franchise was established in 1995, sharing strong values with those of minority-owned company Roc Nation.

“Both brands are built on a strong notion of family and entertainment, the partnership has been designed to reward, excite, and challenge the norm, reaching new audiences via purpose-driven initiatives and creative community-facing activation.

“The ambitions of the Sharks to dominate rugby as a sport as well as placing the brand at the forefront of rugby globally will be aided greatly through the partnership with Roc Nation, a relationship that will add value to current and future commercial partnerships through innovative activation and global amplification.”

This announcement follows the news earlier in the month that American company MVM Holdings had acquired a 51% controlling share in the Sharks, with co-CEO of Roc Nation Unified, Michael Yormark, forming part of the consortium.

Roc Nation also has Springboks Siya Kolisi and Cheslin Kolbe as its clients.

Sharks CEO Eduard Coetzee commented: “Roc Nation is an internationally renowned brand and we are delighted to welcome them to The Sharks family. 

“With their expertise and relationships in the international market, our vision of taking the Sharks brand to the world is very much on track. Working together with our team at the Sharks, Roc Nation will assist in growing our fan base in new territories and will ensure that our approach will always be of an international standard. We look forward to the sharing of minds, a bold approach and the creativity that this partnership will produce, that will position our brand as the leading brand in world rugby.”

Commenting on the exciting alliance between the two business entities, Yormark said: “Roc Nation is thrilled to embark on this unique partnership with The Sharks, supporting Ed and his first-class management team to position the club as the premium rugby club in South Africa and around the world. Leveraging our subject-matter experts across our International offices we are confident that the Sharks will be the envy of the rugby world, attracting top players from around the world.

“Success in this partnership is not just accomplishment on-field, but how we build upon the business structure to guarantee long-term sustainable success.”

– Compiled by Sport24 staff

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News24.com | SA rugby franchises could have a future in European Champions Cup

You Need Posted on 20/01/2021 by vrapto20/01/2021

Courtnall Skosan of the Lions tries to pierce a gap against the Bulls. (Gallo Images)

Courtnall Skosan of the Lions tries to pierce a gap against the Bulls. (Gallo Images)

European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) chairperson Simon Halliday says he expects South Africa’s PRO16 Rainbow Cup teams to become part of the European Champions Cup and Challenge Cup competitions from 2022 onwards.

The current tournament participation agreement came into existence in 2014 which meant the Cheetahs and Southern Kings could not qualify for the Champions or Challenge Cups when they started playing in the PRO14 in 2017.

However, negotiations on a new deal could see that agreement change, with the likes of the Bulls, Lions, Sharks and Stormers having something extra to play for.

It was recently announced that these four former Super Rugby franchises would be South Africa’s entrants in the PRO16 Rainbow Cup event set to start in April.

“The agreement was set up in 2014 which was the year before I became chairman. It expires effectively in 2022 so we were always going to be debating what the future looked like from two years out and we have been doing that,” Halliday told The Rugby Pod.

“We have had an independent review. They have come up with a load of recommendations which the board have unanimously backed and we’re now working out how that feeds into a new agreement and it’s very exciting.”

When probed on whether South Africa’s teams could feature in the European competitions, Halliday added: “We know South Africa have an intention to become part of the PRO16 and we’re fully expecting if that happens for that (South Africa’s European participation) to come our way. We’d be pretty naive if we didn’t think that.

“When you think about that sort of development, plus frankly the growing strength of all the clubs around all the leagues, it’s (European competitions) only going to get bigger and better. We are duty bound to drive an agreement that fully realises that.”

The European Champions Cup is the top-tier competition for clubs whose countries’ national teams compete in the Six Nations.

Clubs qualify for the Champions Cup via their final positions in their respective leagues (English Premiership, French Top 14 and PRO14) or via winning the second-tier Challenge Cup, while those that do not qualify are instead eligible to compete in the Challenge Cup.

– Compiled by Sport24 staff

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News24.com | Rassie not convinced that Rainbow Cup may actually take place

You Need Posted on 19/01/2021 by vrapto19/01/2021

  • SA Rugby director of rugby says he’s not sure if the Rainbow Cup will take place.
  • The Rainbow Cup will consist of SA’s four Super Rugby franchises and 12 teams from Wales, Ireland, Scotland and Italy.
  • Should the Rainbow Cup not take place, Erasmus feels there’ll be creative ways to continue playing rugby.

SA Rugby director of rugby Rassie Erasmus wasn’t sure whether the Rainbow Cup, a tournament that will involve the four Super Rugby franchises and 12 teams from Wales, Ireland, Scotland and Italy, will take place.

Last year, SA Rugby announced that the tournament, where the SA teams will have a three-match European tour while the 12 PRO14 teams will all be touring South Africa, is scheduled to start on 17 April with the final set to take place on 19 June.

Erasmus said they want the SA teams to take part in the Rainbow Cup, but they will have to find creative ways to get rugby played in the event of the tournament not taking place.

Depending on whether the British and Irish Lions tour will take place, whatever rugby that will take place will be crucial for SA Rugby.

“We want to play in the Rainbow Cup, and we feel we need to play. We are looking at different scenarios within the committee. Currently, we’re going through as per normal, but we’re looking at different options like the South African teams playing each other, but the last thing we want is a double round Currie Cup where the South African teams play each other.

“The Franchise Cup is just the franchises playing against each other and maybe the PRO16 could be cancelled and we go back to the Currie Cup again. We’re unsure now, but we have three or four options that we’re trying to be creative with even though there are no crowds. We’re looking at creative ways, if the Rainbow Cup is off, but that may not involve another Currie Cup, especially after another domestic competition.”

It’s not all doom and gloom should the tournament not take place for SA Rugby as players can rest, but Erasmus said they’ll only know at the end of January or early February with regards to a decision.

“If the Rainbow Cup gets cancelled, there is an opportunity for the Franchise Cup or the tournament where the franchises play, it might be played differently. However, we can only know once we know what will happen with the Rainbow Cup,” Erasmus said.

“All of those things are being pushed back to the end of the month or the beginning of February with regards to decisions. The competition where the franchises will play against each other to get ready will be vital to get the guys who are underplayed to be ready while those who are overplayed so that we can start the PRO16 on an even keel.”

With the Currie Cup finally reaching the playoff stage after a week’s hiatus to sort out any Covid-19 related issues, Erasmus also tackled the officiating matter.

Erasmus said they are affected when referees don’t perform well but have had to blood new referees at the same time to create depth.

“We take it on the chin once referees don’t perform well. They also undergo testing and some of them also test positive, from where a new guy must come in. With no excuses and lessons learnt, but if there were nine guys, there were other competitions and Tests, they would have a game each weekend. Under these circumstances, they only having a game every third weekend.

“You can’t ignore the next generation of referees. We must give them a chance. In a normal cycle, everyone is busy each weekend, but because of what is happening, it’s now once every three weeks. There were a few referees we took off because of performance. There was no continuity.”

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News24.com | Rassie Erasmus reveals family battle with Covid-19: ‘We were pretty bad’

You Need Posted on 18/01/2021 by vrapto18/01/2021

  • SA Rugby director of rugby Rassie Erasmus has revealed that he contracted Covid-19 recently.
  • The deadly disease affected his whole family.
  • Erasmus, who had a serious illness last year, has recovered well.

SA Rugby director of rugby and 2019 Rugby World Cup winning coach Rassie Erasmus has confirmed that he contracted Covid-19 recently, but his recovery is well on track.

Erasmus, who was diagnosed with microscopic polyangiitis with granulomatosis‚ a rare autoimmune disease in early 2019, falls into the vulnerable category group when it comes to Covid-19.

His illness, which was treated with chemotherapy, is not cancerous but can negatively impact vital organs including the kidneys and lungs‚ as well as sinuses and trachea.

Erasmus suffered a rare strain of the disease that his doctor said was potentially fatal.

As a precautionary measure, Erasmus did not physically attend last year’s Green and Gold fixture at Newlands because of the illness.

“I did have Covid-19 and I’m on day 23 now. My wife and I contracted it, along with the kids. Their symptoms were just about losing taste and they didn’t feel sick,” Erasmus said.

“For five to six days, we were pretty bad. That was from about days nine to 14. I think at the time we were pretty bad and down and out. I was really worried because some of us have underlying illnesses. The only thing that’s left now … is the low heart rate.”

Erasmus, who also mentioned that Bulls director of rugby Jake White was also infected by the virus while Sharks coach Sean Everitt did not travel with his team to face the Cheetahs recently because of Covid-19 issues, said he had slight side effects from the virus.

Erasmus isn’t the first high profile South African sporting personality who contracted Covid-19.

Proteas coach Mark Boucher revealed late last year that he too contracted the virus.

As per the time of publication, South Africa had recorded more than 1.3 million Covid-19 cases with more than 37 000 deaths. As of January 17, 254 more deaths were recorded.

“It’s one of the side-effects, one that I definitely shouldn’t be having, being as fat as I am apparently. I just have headaches, but there are people who have had worse. At this stage though we are going reasonably well,” Erasmus said.

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News24.com | Johan Goosen signs for Bulls – report

You Need Posted on 17/01/2021 by vrapto17/01/2021

Johan Goosen in action for the Springboks against England at Twickenham on 12 November 2016.

Johan Goosen in action for the Springboks against England at Twickenham on 12 November 2016.

Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

French-based Springbok flyhalf Johan Goosen has signed a three-year deal to join Jake White’s Bulls, according to Afrikaans weekly newspaper Rapport. 

The 28-year-old, who last played for the Boks at full-back against Wales in Cardiff in 2016 under then-coach Allister Coetzee, has been a much-sought-after target by Bulls director of rugby White.

Goosen is set to fill in the Morne Steyn void, when the 36-year-old Loftus legend’s contract expires this year.

The Montpellier back is another in a long list of top billing acquisitions made by White since his arrival in Pretoria last year, the latest of which see Bok flank Marcell Coetzee and international scrumhalf Francois Hougaard joining in June.

The controversial Goosen retired in 2016 to force his way out of his then French club Racing 92, but returned in 2018 and played three matches for the Cheetahs before returning to France to play for Montpellier.

In November, he told French paper L’Equipe that he had made ‘bad decisions’ in his career but said he worked hard to get his career back on track.

– Compiled by Sport24 staff.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred

In times of uncertainty you need journalism you can
trust. For only R75 per month, you have access to
a world of in-depth analyses, investigative journalism,
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strengthens democracy. Invest in the future today.

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News24.com | Sevens stars’ success this season hardly surprising to dazzler-in-chief, Stedman Gans

You Need Posted on 15/01/2021 by vrapto15/01/2021

Stedman Gans in action for the Bulls during the 2020 Super Rugby Unlocked event.

Stedman Gans in action for the Bulls during the 2020 Super Rugby Unlocked event.

Gordon Arons/Gallo Images

  • Bulls star Stedman Gans isn’t surprised by several sevens players making almost seamless transitions into the 15-man game this season.
  • The Blitzboks skipper believes fifteens still places a premium on speed and skill because of its ability to crack open tight matches.
  • Gans’ experience of many do-or-die situations on the World Sevens Series circuit will also come in handy for the Bulls’ Currie Cup semi against the Lions.

Discourse over this season’s domestic programme – Super Rugby Unlocked and the Currie Cup – might at the moment be dominated by the overall standard of SA’s rugby product, but there is another prominent theme: the rise of the sevens stars.

2020/21 has marked a potential watershed for the local game’s ability to integrate stars from the seven-man format into fifteens.

Kwagga Smith had been somewhat of a poster boy in reaching Rassie Erasmus’ Springbok World Cup squad in 2019 while Rosko Specman, Seabelo Senatla and Ruhan Nel all have had their moments over the past few years.

But the dramatic impact made by the Bulls duo of Stedman Gans and Kurt-Lee Arendse, along with promising stints from Werner Kok and Angelo Davids suggests that transitions are becoming more seamless.

It’s not something that surprises Gans, who’s been a lynchpin in midfield for Jake White’s Bulls.

“I’m definitely happy for the guys,” he said as the Bulls prepare for their Currie Cup semi-final against the Lions next weekend.

“The way the 15-man game is going, it’s suiting the sevens guys more and more. It definitely has an influence on why they’re coming through.”

That’s an intriguing thought actually, given that some local coaches have argued that fifteens has become more attritional due to factors such ranging from solid defensive structures and inconsistent law interpretations.  

“More speed and skill is coming into the game,” said Gans.

“In the past, I believe power played a bigger role, it still does, but refinement is now one of the biggest influences on the game. Given how tight many games are nowadays, it’s the sevens players that can come in and make a difference at a crucial moment during proceedings.”

With the Currie Cup reaching its climax, teams boasting sevens exponents have another possibly underappreciated advantage in team members who are used to delivering results when the stakes are at their highest.

Neil Powell, the Blitzboks head coach, has noted before that the structure of World Sevens Series almost weekly exposes players to proverbial do-or-die situations, particularly when a team loses a match in their Pool and then have to play catch-up in the quest for Cup glory.

Gans agrees.

“There are things you learn when you’ve been in those pressurised situations before. I’ve been privileged to experience it quite a few times in my career,” he said.

“I can definitely draw on it in the playoffs. It’s about focusing on the process and not the outcome. It’s small mental triggers that make all the difference.

“Knockout games need not be complicated.”

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News24.com | Sharks confident of full-strength team for Currie Cup semi-final v WP

You Need Posted on 14/01/2021 by vrapto14/01/2021

  • Sharks coach Sean Everitt is confident they’ll turn up with
    a full-strength team for the Currie Cup semi-final against Western Province at
    Newlands next weekend.
  • The Sharks have been ravaged by Covid-19 interruptions,
    which necessitated the cancellation of their last pool match against Province.
  • By the time they face WP next weekend, 21 days would have
    lapsed since their 47-19 win over Griquas.

Sharks coach Sean Everitt said they were confident of
showing up with a full-strength team for the Currie Cup semi-final against
Western Province at Newlands next weekend.

The Sharks have been ravaged by Covid-19 interruptions,
which necessitated their last round robin match against Province to be called
off.

READ | Sharks CEO Eduard Coetzee opens up on Siya Kolisi link

SA Rugby went a step further and granted the Durbanites an
extra week’s grace by moving the semi-finals and final back by a week, from 16
January to 23 January and 30 January, respectively.

But, at this desperately late stage, any team that fails to
have a Covid-free match day squad will forfeit their match.

“I’m extremely confident that we will have a
full-strength team for the semi-final,” said Everitt.

“The players have really tried hard in isolating
themselves at home and I believe the Bulls, Province and Lions have been in the
same boat.

“No one wants to lose that opportunity of playing in a
semi and possibly a final.

“We can only control what we control and, as we stand
now, we’ll have a full team to select from next week.”

Everitt expounded on the Covid matter that wreaked havoc
with his side’s momentum.

Before they were due to play WP, the Sharks had beaten
Griquas convincingly at Kings Park and were looking to carry that forward into
the business end of the competition.

By the time they face Province next weekend, however, 21
days would have lapsed since that 47-19 victory.

“We had a good week of training but, obviously, we had
some guys that returned to training late this week because of Covid
protocols,” said Everitt.

“It affects their return to play: if you’re a contact
[case] you can return to pay immediately but if you tested positive then
there’s a return to play process.

“We did have a number of players that tested positive
last week, so some of them will only return tomorrow (Friday) and Saturday.

“The rest of the guys have resumed training, so we are
in a pretty good space at the moment.”

The coach said the sharpness of players who contracted the
deadly virus after their recovery varied from player to player.

“It varies from player to player and the severity of
the Covid symptoms they had,” he said.

“Generally, the return to play protocols in place give
the guys five days to return to full training, which helps quite a lot.

“Guys with mild symptoms are able to return to full
fitness a lot quicker.

“You can be out from 10 to 21 days and the longer
you’re out, the longer it will take for you to get back to full fitness.

“We don’t have anyone who has been ruled out at the
moment but we will have testing again on Monday.”

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