Munster’s round six and seven South African games cancelled

All Irish golfers involved in Joburg Open withdraw after new restrictions announced

Munster’s game against the Bulls in Pretoria looks set to fall foul of new UK Covid travel restrictions. Photograph: Gordon Arons/Inpho
Munster’s game against the Bulls in Pretoria looks set to fall foul of new UK Covid travel restrictions. Photograph: Gordon Arons/Inpho

The URC has confirmed that all fixtures due to take place in South Africa in rounds six and seven have been postponed.

Due to the sudden developments connected with the new Covid variant that immediately placed South Africa, among other southern African countries, on the UK and EU red list, these games will be replayed later on in the season. 
Munster were due to play the Bulls in Pretoria in Saturday and the Lions in Johannesburg next weekend.

The Scarlets, Cardiff and Zebre are the other non-South African sides affected. Scarlets and Cardiff had previously confirmed that they were trying to make arrangements to return from South Africa as soon as possible. 
Munster have yet to announce their travel plans now that the games will not take place.

Meanwhile, the ongoing Joburg Open on the new DPWorld Tour has also been affected after a number of players have withdrawn following the news. Niall Kearney, Cormac Sharvin, Jonathan Caldwell and Paul Dunne are among those who have pulled out of the tournament.

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The event is the first on the schedule of the DP World Tour, formerly the European Tour.