The Currie Cup match between Western Province and the Sharks has been cancelled in line with COVID-19 protocols.
The final round Currie Cup match was scheduled to kick off at DHL Newlands in Cape Town at 14:15 on Saturday 9 January.
Western Province vs Sharks Currie Cup match cancelled
The decision was taken on Wednesday following a number of positive COVID-19 tests in the Sharks camp.
As a result of the cancellation of the match, the encounter will be declared a draw and the teams will each receive two log points.
The other two Carling Currie Cup matches scheduled for this weekend – between Griquas and the Cheetahs in Kimberley on Saturday at 16:30, and the Phakisa Pumas against the Vodacom Bulls in Nelspruit on Sunday at 16:00 – are unaffected.
The cancellation of the match means DHL Western Province – currently in second place on the standings with 35 points behind the Vodacom Bulls who also have 35 points, but boast a superior points’ difference – will finish the pool stage of the competition on 37 points, and the Sharks will move up to third place, also on 35 points.
The two coastal sides will have to wait for the conclusion of tonight’s Gauteng Derby between the Bulls and Lions in Pretoria, which be broadcast live on SuperSport at 16:00, and the final two round-robin games this coming weekend to see who they will face the semi-finals and where these matches will be hosted.
After the cancellation, the Sharks are now unable to secure a home semi-final while Western Province will depend upon other results to ensure they are able to bid farewell to Newlands in the Currie Cup’s last four.
The Currie Cup and the preceding Super Rugby Unlocked tournament have been rocked by a string of cancellations as organisers struggle to prevent infections within the various camps.
