Springbok and Lions hooker Malcolm Marx is among a full flight of South Africans whose repatriation flight from Doha was cancelled at the last minute.

OFM Sport reported that the flight was scheduled to take off from Doha on Tuesday morning at 10am for landing at OR Tambo International in Johannesburg.

The airplane – filled with South Africans returning from Tokyo – had been boarded with luggage stowed and was ready to take-off, but at the last minute it was denied by South Africa.

A passenger told Radio OFM that they are effectively stranded in Qatar for the next few days as they are not allowed to access their luggage and there are no restaurants open.

Marx – who has been playing for the Shining Arcs in the Japanese Top League since the end of the World Cup – was among the passengers, having originally missed out on the chance to return home before South Africa went into lockdown.

Other South African players based in Japan, such as Bok eighthman Duane Vermeulen, also struggled to get home in March as the Top League organisers delayed calling the tournament off.

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The World Cup winner faces another wait as the passengers are expected to return on 7 May, but have to remain at the airport until then.

Photo: Getty Images