Namibia not invited by SARU
The Namibian national rugby team will not participate in South African rugby competitions next year.
LIMBA MUPETAMI
WINDHOEK
The South Africa Rugby Union (Saru) has resolved that no invitational teams will be accommodated in next year's domestic competitions due to financial constraints. The finances of the Namibia Rugby Union (NRU) have been heavily affected by Covid-19 and as such the national teams cannot participate in competitions next year.
Players affected
Namibia will miss crucial competitions such as South Africa's Supersport Rugby Challenge and the Currie Cup First Division. In a statement released last Tuesday, NRU president Corrie Mensah said they were informed that the general council of South African Rugby made a decision at its last meeting that it will have an internal focus and that Covid has restructured planning and competitions and hence it will not be able to accommodate the NRU during the 2021 season. Despite this news, Mensah added that the union remains positive that they will be able to organise a meaningful and exciting playing programme for Namibian teams, sponsors and supporters during the 2021 season.
There is hope
“We are still waiting for information from World Rugby on the Nations Cup and Rugby Africa regarding the Rugby Africa Cup, as well as the Under-20 Barthes tournament.
“Once these fixtures are received, the union will be able to organise additional matches. “Furthermore, the NRU has already contacted Saru to determine the possibility of playing friendly matches against its unions,” added Mensah.
Start training
He commended all the players participating in the high-performance programme and who are exercising with great dedication during the off-season.
“Clubs are urged and encouraged to start as soon as possible with training sessions and to prepare the players for possible high honours next year,” he said.
WINDHOEK
The South Africa Rugby Union (Saru) has resolved that no invitational teams will be accommodated in next year's domestic competitions due to financial constraints. The finances of the Namibia Rugby Union (NRU) have been heavily affected by Covid-19 and as such the national teams cannot participate in competitions next year.
Players affected
Namibia will miss crucial competitions such as South Africa's Supersport Rugby Challenge and the Currie Cup First Division. In a statement released last Tuesday, NRU president Corrie Mensah said they were informed that the general council of South African Rugby made a decision at its last meeting that it will have an internal focus and that Covid has restructured planning and competitions and hence it will not be able to accommodate the NRU during the 2021 season. Despite this news, Mensah added that the union remains positive that they will be able to organise a meaningful and exciting playing programme for Namibian teams, sponsors and supporters during the 2021 season.
There is hope
“We are still waiting for information from World Rugby on the Nations Cup and Rugby Africa regarding the Rugby Africa Cup, as well as the Under-20 Barthes tournament.
“Once these fixtures are received, the union will be able to organise additional matches. “Furthermore, the NRU has already contacted Saru to determine the possibility of playing friendly matches against its unions,” added Mensah.
Start training
He commended all the players participating in the high-performance programme and who are exercising with great dedication during the off-season.
“Clubs are urged and encouraged to start as soon as possible with training sessions and to prepare the players for possible high honours next year,” he said.
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