It has been confirmed that there have been four additional positive Covid-19 tests among Springbok players, plus six among management, including head coach Jacques Nienaber.
SA Rugby confirmed the news on Tuesday night, and this Friday’s second Test against Georgia looks virtually assured of having to be called off.
Marvin Orie, Frans Steyn, Handre Pollard and Frans Malherbe all returned positive tests, while there were six among management, and one masseuse.
On Monday, Lood de Jager retuned a positive result in scheduled testing and, because of his close contact with a number of squad members, the entire group had gone into isolation.
Meanwhile, there are also four positive results among the Georgian team.
The latest medical data from the Springbok and Georgian teams will be assessed by the Medical Advisory Group (MAG) on Wednesday morning.
“These positive results are a setback and have underlined the danger of transmissibility of the delta variant,” said Jurie Roux, CEO of SA Rugby.
“The Springboks’ second Test against Georgia is now in serious doubt, but we will wait for the MAG to consider the data and we will make the final decision tomorrow.
“The priority is to maintain the integrity of the Test series and we will continue to focus on that.”
A further update will be issued on potential alternative opponents for the Lions and on the Springboks’ second Test against Georgia as soon as the positions are finalised.
