This comes as positive Covid-19 cases are on the rise across the country and provinces such as Gauteng, Free State, North West and the Northern Cape are the hardest it.

The country is on the brink of the dreaded third wave, while it has already been declared that the third wave has already hit the Free State and Northern Cape.

Matches will not be permitted in sporting codes such as rugby, hockey and netball, however, training and practices can still take place under strict Covid-19 safety guidelines, and without any contact.

The Department of Basic Education released a statement in which it said:

“The Council of Education Ministers has taken a decision to suspend all contact sports in schools with immediate effect.

“The decision was taken in a virtual meeting held this morning.

“Non-contact sports training in schools can continue provided that all social distancing, hygiene and safety measures are observed and that there is no physical contact between participants during training.

“Following the school sports activities related to Covid-19 outbreaks in Gauteng and the general rise of cases in communities across the country, the Outbreak Response Team said that the risk was high when engaged in close-contact sports, especially with people who did not live together.

“In this regard, all sporting activities have been suspended with immediate effect until the clusters outbreak is subsequently over with no further cases reported including the preparatory school sport.

“The Department will continue to monitor the situation. A government gazette will be issued with the notice in the coming days.”

In the Free State, several schools have already suspended and canceled matches over the past fortnight, while training has commenced.

@MorganPiek OFM Sport