The immediate future of the 2020 Vodacom Super Rugby season has been thrown into doubt after Sanzaar announced a review into the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

This comes shortly after the New Zealand government issued a directive that any travellers returning to the country need to self-isolate for 14 days.

‘Following the recent New Zealand Government directive today, that all travellers returning to New Zealand will have to self-isolate on their arrival for 14 days – including New Zealand residents – Sanzaar is now reviewing the full impact on the Super Rugby tournament,’ a statement from the governing body read.

‘Sanzaar will not be making any official comment on the tournament and the future staging of the remaining matches at this point in time.

‘Sanzaar will issue a statement on the full impact of the ongoing Covid-19 crisis and its impact on Super Rugby 2020 once the Executive Committee has determined an appropriate course of action and all stakeholders have been informed.’

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As it stands, the Jaguares are set to host the Highlanders behind closed doors, with the Dunedin-based side set to return home to face the Lions next weekend.

Rugby Australia has also announced that all Australia-based Super Rugby matches will be played in empty stadiums from round eight onwards.

Meanwhile, SA Rugby has responded to the pandemic by announcing the cancellation of all international matches featuring the Junior Springboks this year, including the international series featuring the national U20 teams of Georgia and Argentina.

The World Cup trophy tour, which had been planned for the next couple of weeks across the country, has also been put on hold.

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