Employers, players, staff and SA Rugby have combined in continuity planning aimed at cost saving in the face of expected shortfall in revenues due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The plan has been formulated in a joint working group, known as the Covid-19 Management Committee, which includes SA Rugby, the South African Rugby Employers’ Organisation (SAREO), MyPlayers (representing the players) and Sports Employees’ Unite (SEU – the rugby staffs’ trade union).

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The Committee’s joint proposal has begun a round of presentations to union presidents and CEOs as well as through the MyPlayers and SEU channels.

‘We have workshopped a number of scenarios based on potential return-to-play dates and identified the most likely financial scenario based on rugby resuming in the third quarter of 2020,’ said Jurie Roux, the CEO of SA Rugby.

‘The industry came together virtually on day one of this crisis to frame a united response.

‘This is not an SA Rugby problem or a unions’ problem, it is everyone’s problem and we are very clear that we have to stand together if we are to overcome it.

‘The progression and response to the virus unfolds on a daily basis so we do not have a confirmed domestic or international calendar for the rest of 2020, but we have made plans for every eventuality.’

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Photo: Adrian Dennis/AFP