SARU should have taken the option of a bio bubble

With SA Rugby confirming the cancellation of the scheduled Super Rugby Unlocked third round fixture between the Emirates Lions and Toyota Cheetahs as per Covid – 19 protocols after positive cases in the Lions camp, the option of a bio bubble is looking like a huge missed opportunity, one that should have been taken.
During the early plans of rugby returning to play, there were suggestions of the upcoming season being played out in a bio bubble but that thought was never taken into tangible consideration by SARU. A bio bubble ensures that the commercial contractual obligations are fulfilled and the protection of the players from Covid-19, as they are in an isolation zone.
Right now, with the Super Rugby Unlocked not being played in a bio bubble, players are at risk of being exposed to the virus. This has been evident by the situation that has developed at the Lions. There were four players testing positive for Covid -19, by midweek a further nine were in isolation for precautions. On Saturday morning, following a second batch of Covid-19 test, there were two more positive cases, and that eventually led to the plug being pulled between the clash between the Lions and Cheetahs.
“Containing the spread of the disease is a national imperative and this first impact on the rugby schedule is a stark reminder of how vigilant our community has to be and how rigorous we must be in following the rules,” said Jurie Roux, SA Rugby CEO.

“Safety comes first, and although it is extremely disappointing for all concerned, it is a reminder to our teams and players of the role their actions will play in avoiding the risk of more cancellations.
Despite having followed the advisory precautions and the plans that were approved by the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture (DSAC), we will take this opportunity to review them and strengthen them if required,” he continued.

One has to commend how SA Rugby and the Lions on how they have moved swiftly in trying to contain the spread of the virus within the camp.

Back to the thought of the missed opportunity to stage the season in a bio bubble, we saw earlier when the resumption of sports being feasible in South Africa we saw how the Premier Soccer League concluded its 2019/2020 season successfully in a bio bubble in Gauteng, they were able to protect the players and commit to the stakeholders involved, something SARU is pushing.

Netball South Africa took the blueprint of the PSL and are currently having a successful tournament in the form of the Telkom Netball League in a bio bubble in Bloemfontein and so far, they have had a clean bill when it comes to Coivd cases.

SARU should have also followed the example of the PSL and netball they should have because the bio bubble protects the players as compared to them being on the out in the world. Reality is the sport returning during a pandemic is very risky but playing the sport in a bio bubble is a calculated risk, and way safer.
SARU should have considered a bio bubble.