New Corona Virus Variant Threatens Sports Events In South Africa

JAKARTA - Sporting events in South Africa will be suspended on Friday due to the detection of a new coronavirus variant, with rugby teams scrambling to leave before travel restrictions are imposed and the first DP World Tour golf event with a new look at risk.

Four rugby teams will play South African sides in the United Rugby Championship (URC) but Welsh clubs Cardiff and Scarlets have said they want to leave as England prepare to impose travel restrictions.

"With the situation in South Africa changing so rapidly, we now want to get our staff home as soon as possible," Cardiff said on Twitter.

"To concerned family and friends, rest assured that our focus is on ensuring the safety and well-being of our people and will keep you updated with any developments to you."

Scarlets said they were also trying to leave as quickly as possible.

Officials told Reuters on Friday that the URC match would be cancelled, which is likely to be announced later.

Cardiff will play the Lions in Johannesburg on Sunday while the Scarlets are in Durban to face the Sharks on Saturday.

There is no word yet on plans for Irish club Munster, who will meet the Bulls in Pretoria on Saturday, or the Italian Zebre, in Cape Town who will face the Stormers.

They are the first clubs to arrive in South Africa since the start of the pandemic and the postponement of matches would be a major blow to the newly launched tournament involving teams from South Africa, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales.

The first round of the Joburg Open golf resumed at 6am (0400 GMT) on Friday after a thunderstorm ended play early on Thursday.

The second round teed off at 7am but by then 15 English and Irish golfers had withdrawn.

The event is the first on the schedule of the DP World Tour, previously known as the European Tour.

On Friday, South Africa will host the Netherlands in the first of three games in the One Day International cricket series.

"At this stage of our planning and preparedness, we are not aware of any developments related to the impact of the new variant on international arrivals," Cricket South Africa told Reuters on Friday.

"In the event of these changes, the CSA will issue a statement and advice on the planned adjustments."

South Africa will also host India next month, with the tour expected to be a big boon for South African Cricket's coffers. India will play three tests during December and January.