The Vodacom Super Rugby match between the Jaguares and Highlanders will go ahead as scheduled but will be played behind closed doors due to the coronavirus.

This comes after the Argentinian government issued a directive that for the next 30 days there is to be no spectator presence at any sporting events due to the Covid-19 or coronavirus.

The directive impacts the Round 7 match between the Jaguares and Highlanders, which is scheduled to kick-off on Sunday at 1am (South African time).

‘Super Rugby is an international cross-border competition and with the global outbreak of the coronavirus in recent weeks we always knew that unfortunately at some stage there would be an effect on the tournament,’ Sanzaar CEO Andy Marinos said. ‘We have been planning for such contingencies and have been cognizant of all government and health authority directives issued within their respective territories.

‘Today we have been informed by the Jaguares and the Argentina Rugby Union that the Round 7 match scheduled in Buenos Aires on Saturday may proceed but without spectators.

‘We have also been informed that the match may be broadcast by our Rights Holder Broadcaster ESPN. We have taken the decision that the match will be played under these restrictions.

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‘In recent weeks we have put in place strict medical monitoring of all players through the respective Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) to ensure player welfare is at the forefront of our planning for the continuation of the tournament. Indeed we took the step recently to relocate two matches out of Japan.

‘We have always said that we would follow guidelines issued by health authorities and governments within our stakeholder territories. Super Rugby fully understands the concerns of the Buenos Aires City government.’

Marinos added that apart from the match in Buenos Aires, all other Super Rugby fixtures will continue as normal for Round 7. Sanzaar will issue information on any further changes to Super Rugby if and when appropriate.

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