SA Rugby CEO Jurie Roux says there are ‘many factors to take into consideration’ before knowing how the Cheetahs and Kings would be able to participate in the planned restart of the PRO14.

The northern-hemisphere showpiece was postponed indefinitely in March due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but after more than three months of inaction, the organisers are hoping to conclude the 2019-20 season by mid-September.

READ: PRO14 plans to restart season

In response, SA Rugby released a statement to say the Cheetahs and Kings would continue to work closely with the national governing body and the South African government in the coming months after plans were announced to target Saturday, 22 August as a restart date.

‘We hope to see the Cheetahs and Southern Kings play in the end of this season’s PRO14, but there are many factors to take into consideration before we know how it will work,’ Roux commented.

‘The Covid-19 pandemic is still rife in our country and the health and safety of South Africans remain the most important priority, which is why we continue to work with government and all the various stakeholders.

‘We have to ensure we handle the return-to-train and eventually return-to-play in the best possible way. We’ll only be able to play in local derbies, but nothing can happen before we can travel internally.’