South African team forced to quarantine after De Jager tested positive for Covid-19 | South African Rugby Team

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After testing positive for the coronavirus, the new Covid-19 uncertainty enveloped the British and Irish Lions’ journey to South Africa, forcing the entire Springbok team to be quarantined.

After finding that the sales lock Lood de Jager tested positive, the team training was cancelled on Monday, raising new questions about the possible interruption of the upcoming Lions test series.

As the host country is under the control of the third wave of spiral infections, Box is now waiting for the results of additional tests, which will determine whether the warm-up test for Georgia in Johannesburg on Friday can proceed as scheduled. South Africa also had three positive Covid cases in their camp last week, but the first test of Georgia in Pretoria last Friday continued.

De Jager recently recovered from a broken leg and knee injury in Searle’s training. He did not participate in that game, but has always hoped to return to the game. He is now required to be isolated with all his teammates. SA Rugby said in a statement: “The players have been precautionary quarantined before further PCR testing and the medical advisory team’s review of the test data.”

“Lood de Jager achieved positive results in the scheduled test, and due to his close contact with some team members, the entire team is in isolation.”

Last week, the team was allowed to resume training after 24 hours, and one of the three positive tests was found to be a false result.

However, in view of the rapid increase in the number of cases in the Gauteng area, although measures have been taken to keep their respective team bases free of the new crown virus, it is clear that further disruption is possible.

Lions players and staff are tested 3 times a week, but it is still possible to contract the virus from opponent players during the provincial competition.

However, Mako Vunipola, a supporter of Lions and England, said that every effort is being made to minimize the chance of infection. “I won’t say that we are anxious about it,” said Vunipola, who will face the Sharks in Johannesburg on Wednesday. “For our players, it’s very simple. You have an established agreement that you must follow at the hotel. As long as you do this, you should be fine.”

Vunipola also stated that Lions assistant coach Gregor Townsend emphasized the possible consequences of violating Covid regulations before the team flew to South Africa. “We talked about this before we played in Japan. When you see your family or give your loved one a hug or kiss during a game, it’s obviously hard not to see them. But Gregor proposed A good point of view, after we put a lot of effort into entering the team in the past four years, you don’t want to ruin 10 seconds by embracing and contracting the new crown virus.

“It’s not easy, but to be honest, I would rather stay here than stay at home. This is one of the things we understand, considering the current climate and the current situation of the world. I visited them for the first time. The performers have a good impression. They didn’t enjoy the enjoyment they deserve. It’s not great, but we are very happy to play rugby here and have the honor to represent the Lions.

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At the same time, Warren Gatland has no plans to conduct his proposed starting test XV before the start of the two-win-of-three series against the Springboks on July 24. In 2017, during the Lions’ last trip to New Zealand, 13 of the final test team played against the Crusaders two weeks ago, but Gatland said this was “not intentional” and he wanted to keep an open mind.

“I hope this group of people can feel that everyone has a chance until the test match,” said Gatland, who has appointed Ulster’s Ian Henderson as the captain of the first game of the tournament week. “We are not going to show our hands on what we think is the testing aspect. Four years ago, the message to the players who played on the Tuesday night before the first test was that we have not yet selected a testing team and still have positions and The position is up for contention. Several players performed well that night and were selected.

“I think as players, they want to hear this message. They want to hear that we have not made up our minds, everyone has a chance. I think this is really important for the whole team. If you look at the last three , Especially for loose forwards, the amount of competition is huge. There will be some long discussions. As we get closer, we will start looking for potential combinations, but you don’t want to show your hands too soon.”

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