Wellington : New Zealand Rugby has announced the cancellation of two home tests between the All Blacks and Springboks after a community COVID-19 outbreak sent the country into lockdown.
The All Blacks also will not immediately travel to Perth for an Aug. 28 test against Australia because of uncertainty over the remainder of the Rugby Championship schedule, reports AP.
In a statement Friday, NZR said it had received government advice that the World Cup champion Springboks will not be admitted to New Zealand for matches at Dunedin on Sept. 25 and Auckland on Oct. 1. The Dunedin match was to be the 100th test between New Zealand and South Africa.
Matches between the New Zealand women’s team and Australia also have been canceled.
NZR chief executive Mark Robinson said every effort had been made to keep the Springboks tests in New Zealand.
The discovery of community cases in Auckland last week caused the government to place all of New Zealand at Alert Level 4, the strictest lockdown which prohibits sports events or any public gatherings. So far 31 community cases have been detected, including three in Wellington which were announced Friday.
That caused the government to extend the Level 4 lockdown at least until Tuesday.
The Bledisloe Cup test in Perth already was in doubt because the West Australian state government had paused quarantine-free travel from New Zealand, meaning the All Blacks likely would have to isolate for 14 days on arrival.
The All Blacks were due to leave for Perth on Sunday but Robinson said their departure has been delayed. SANZAAR, which governs southern hemisphere rugby competitions, is expected to make an announcement about the schedule shortly.
Reports from Britain on Friday suggested Rugby Championship matches might be moved to Europe where they could be played with crowds in attendance.
