In a statement, the minister of sport, Nathi Mthethwa confirmed that franchises and unions now have 14 days to submit their comprehensive proposals on how they will safely return to training.

The Government will then have seven days to examine the proposal and make a decision before giving final approval.

While competitive rugby is underway in New Zealand and Australia, there has been no rugby played in South Africa since March.

Even SANZAAR is optimistic about the Rugby Championship between the Springboks, All Blacks, Wallabies and Los Pumas, being contested in 2020.

This is according to the SANZAAR CEO, Andy Marinos.

“We remain very positive about that”, said the former Stormers and Welsh centre in an interview with Stuff.co.nz.

“Obviously the biggest elephant, or anomaly, in the room is what sort of restrictions that could come in. So we always have to be guarded by governments and health authorities around that.

“But we are certainly very positive as a group to deliver a Rugby Championship this year in whichever market we can, where we can get all the teams in and get the competition underway.

“At this stage, we are looking at the back-end of October, into November and probably early December.

“We need eight weeks in order for us to deliver a TRC (Rugby Championship).’’

@MorganPiek OFM Sport