RUGBY

Fixtures Update | Munster to return to South Africa next month following URC statement

February 9, 2022 / Conor King /

Munster are returning to South Africa next month for the rescheduled Round 6 and Round 7 United Rugby Championship fixtures against the Vodacom Bulls and Emirates Lions.

Munster will return to South Africa next month for their rescheduled games with the Bulls and Lions.

Munster initially traveled to the country on November 20 for back to back games in South Africa over two weeks. But disaster quickly struck with a number of covid cases that saw fourteen players and members of staff forced to quarantine in SA. Both games with the Vodacom Bulls and Emirate Lions were also postponed.

It led to a very experimental Munster side led by Ian Costello to feature in the Champions Cup where the fringe and younger payers excelled.

Fourteen remain in South Africa as some of the Munster contingent return to Ireland

Now it has been confirmed that Munster will travel to SA once again, this time next month to fuflill those fixtures.

Guinness PRO14, Outeniqua Park, George, South Africa 7/4/2018 Southern Kings vs Munster Munster’s Dan Goggin scores a try despite Michael Makase of the Southern Kings Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan

Munster’s Rescheduled Fixtures for R6 & R7

Saturday, March 12

Vodacom Bulls v Munster, 2.05pm Irish time/4.05pm local time; Live on TG4, Premier Sports, SuperSport, URC.tv

Saturday, March 19

Emirates Lions v Munster, Noon Irish time / 2pm local time; Live on RTÉ, SuperSport, Premier Sports, URC.tv

URC Statement

The initial postponements centered on travel restrictions caused by the onset of the Omicron variant of Covid-19 and ahead of rescheduling these games all parties are satisfied with the recommendations of United Rugby Championship’s Medical Advisory Committee, Sports & Regulatory Committee and senior management. Additionally, the level of travel restrictions from the UK, Ireland and Italy to South Africa having been eased for some time and it has been noted that SA Rugby and their franchises have been operating URC and Currie Cup fixtures with no disruption so far in 2022.
The league would like to express its gratitude to all of the teams involved for their contributions to a thorough consultation process and to our broadcast partners who have assisted to the difficult task of scheduling these fixtures across Guinness Six Nations weekends.
Martin Anayi, CEO, United Rugby Championship, said:
“I would like to say special thanks to the teams, broadcasters and support staff involved in rescheduling these games. These fixtures hold a huge significance in South Africa who are eagerly awaiting the first visit of URC teams to their stadiums which have not hosted international opponents since early 2020.
“Having been on the ground alongside other members of the URC management team in December when these games were postponed, we were fully aware of the circumstances that isolation presented. Player welfare remains paramount to rugby’s success and after much internal consultation we believe that our clubs and players are confident that contingences now exist that – no matter how unlikely to be needed – can expedite any future process.
“With 12 of our teams due to tour South Africa before the end of the season we know they will receive a warm welcome off the pitch. Through a sporting lens, Covid has thrown a lot at us but we’re very optimistic that the effort and co-ordination involved to get back on track should reward us with a lot of entertaining rugby and a tremendous finish to the first URC season.”