It’s been reported that the PRO14 Rainbow Cup could kick off as scheduled later this month, with hopes of South African involvement not yet extinguished.
Worrisome doubts arose over the Rainbow Cup proceeding as planned when South Africa’s four franchises were told to halt their visa applications last week.
With a lack of certainty around certain travel assurances, it appeared that SA Rugby could face a hammer blow by losing out on this all-important preparation tournament ahead of the British & Irish Lions series.
Yet, Ireland’s The42 website reports that the Rainbow Cup could still get under way with three rounds of derby games in Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Italy and South Africa.
Negotiations are then said to be continuing in the hope of finding a contingency plan for South Africa’s teams to still be able to travel north for rounds four to six.
PRO14 Rugby is reported to have identified a number of possible UK bases for the four South African teams, and that there is still hope of a government exemption being made to accommodate the SA sides.
