The Vodacom Super Rugby Unlocked third-round match between the Lions and Cheetahs, which was called off in line with Covid-19 protocols, has been declared a draw.

SA Rugby confirmed this news on Wednesday, stating it was ‘as a result of the inability to reschedule the match’.

Each team will be awarded two points.

‘That takes us to 11 points on the log and four behind the Bulls, while we’ve played one game less,’ Cheetahs coach Hawies Fourie told OFM Sport.

‘We are still in the running for this competition, but Friday night’s game against the Sharks is the most important one for us.’

Fourie explained why the game ultimately wasn’t rescheduled.

‘There was an opportunity. They gave us three other dates to play this game, but it would have been difficult. It would have meant that we would’ve played three games in eight days, and this wouldn’t be ideal anyway.

‘It might have jeopardised our chances in one of the other games if we played that match on a Wednesday.

‘There wasn’t a suitable date to play that game. In the end it might happen that we are one or two log points short and it will be devastating if that happens.

‘At the moment we still control our own destiny. We are still four points behind the Bulls and we have three games left, so we can still finish above them on the log.’