Newlands Test hanging in the balance

23 May 2017 - 09:58 By TMG Digital
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Clubs wishing to play in the Premiership must fulfil a list of criteria.
Clubs wishing to play in the Premiership must fulfil a list of criteria.
Image: Gallo Images/Thinkstock

The venue for the Rugby Championship Test between the Springboks and the All Blacks is still not decided because SA Rugby is waiting for Newlands to produce a safety certificate.

SA Rugby named Newlands as the venue, but with a 'TBC' (to be confirmed) pencilled in. The October 7 Test against the world champions might yet be moved to the Cape Town Stadium soccer venue in Green Point if the certificate is not received by June.

Newlands, and Cape Town, last hosted the All Blacks in 2008.

"I do not think there will be a problem, but if there is, we'll have to move the Test elsewhere," SA Rugby president Mark Alexander said earlier this month.

"It's law; if you do not have [the certificate], you cannot stage a Test. The Test is in October, and they have to meet that deadline."

Newlands has already hosted Super Rugby this season because there is a grace period in terms of implementing the new regulations. But if they don't have the safety clearance by June, SA Rugby will move the Test.

The Stormers' Super Rugby quarterfinal scheduled for July could also be jeopardised.

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