The Varsity Cup board has decided to suspend the entire 2020 season after a meeting on Tuesday following an outbreak of Covid-19 at universities.

Along with rugby tournaments around the world, the Varsity Cup board has suspended the current season as universities in South Africa restructure their calendars to help contain the spread of coronavirus in the country.

Wits and UCT have suspended their classes after having positive cases of the virus, while other universitites such as Stellenbosch and the University of Pretoria are in discussions as to how best to deal with the outbreak.

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‘Further to the Varsity Cup Board meeting held at 10am on 17 March 2020, all Varsity Cup matches, including Varsity Young Guns and Varsity Shield are suspended with immediate effect,’ a statement read.

 ‘Member universities are currently restructuring their academic calendars and programmes, which will have an effect on lecture dates and times, university recess breaks and examination periods.

‘SA Rugby is in ongoing deliberations on the reworked domestic rugby calendar and as a result, the Varsity Cup Board will reconvene towards the end April 2020 to reassess the situation and take a final decision on the 2020 competition.

 ‘Varsity Cup will continue to engage with all stakeholders and partners to ensure that the tournament adheres to all statutory and legal obligations whilst prioritising the health and safety of players, management and spectators.’

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Photo: @VarsityCup/Twitter