Cardiff Rugby continue to work tirelessly to repatriate their travelling party from South Africa following sudden developments around the Covid-19 variant B.1.1.529.
South Africa is one of six countries on the continent to be placed on the UK Government’s red list due to significant concerns over the newly emerged variant.
Members of Cardiff Rugby staff, both at home and abroad, have worked tirelessly since Thursday night, along with colleagues at the Scarlets, the Welsh Rugby Union and the United Rugby Championship (URC) to secure the safe return of the travelling party.
A charter aircraft has been secured however we have been unable to secure Civil Aviation Authority clearance due to the closure of borders in the UK and European Union.
Cardiff were in Cape Town preparing for back-to-back URC matches against Emirates Lions and DHL Stormers when concerns arose while the Scarlets were due to face Cell C Sharks and Vodacom Bulls.
All Round 6 and 7 fixtures in South Africa have now been postponed due to guidelines against non-essential travel to and from the country, the suspension of flights and potential periods of hotel isolation.
The safety and wellbeing of Cardiff Rugby staff and players remains of paramount importance and every effort continues to be made.
Cardiff’s travelling party remain in good spirits at their Cape Town base while taking every precaution possible.