This comes as the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier between South Africa and Ethiopia at the FNB Stadium will be first sporting event in the country to welcome back limited fans for the first time in more than 18 months.

Harold Verster of the Cheetahs told OFM Sport that they are working behind the scenes for this to happen.

“We have noticed that supporters will be allowed to be in attendance as certain football matches and we are keeping an eye on the situation.

“We are also in close contact with other stadiums as well as SA Rugby and the Department of Sport.

“I believe that we will receive the green-light shortly, but there will be certain limitations such as fans will need to be vaccinated to enter the stadiums.

“Those are however things we will deal with when they arrive at that stage.”

Under the revised lockdown regulations, 2000 people are permitted at an outdoor event, however, this does not include sports matches.

The Cheetahs are currently in their preseason while the other four franchises are in Europe for the United Rugby Championship.

The Cheetahs are in the process of planning a tournament for next month in Bloemfontein that will feature the Sharks as well as the Lions or Bulls, and two teams from Europe.

This date for this will be the telling factor as it cannot clash with the big fours campaign in Europe. To OFM Sport’s knowledge the tournament will be named the Million Rand Challenge and the winner of each game is set to receive R250 000.

The Cheetahs plans are to have limited spectators in attendance for these games, as well as, the 2022 Currie Cup, which for now is set to kick off on 15 January.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport