NEW: Huge blow for Sables…as Covid-19 cases spike in Tunis

Online Reporter

THE Sables have been forced to cancel their trip to Tunisia for the Rugby Africa Cup Group D qualifying tournament following reports of a spike in coronavirus cases in the North African country’s capital – Tunis.

Tunisia was on Thursday put under partial lockdown, prompting the cancellation of the three-team tournament that would have featured Burkina Faso and Zimbabwe.

The competition would have marked the start of the 2023 World Cup qualifying marathon.

And the Sables had been scheduled to fly out to Tunis on Saturday ahead of the tournament that had been pencilled in for July 9 to July 17.

Zimbabwe Rugby Union (ZRU) chief executive officer Sifiso Made confirmed the development.

He, however, said there are expectations the competition could be staged at a later date.

“Yes, I can confirm that the Sables will no longer be travelling to Tunisia for the Rugby Africa Cup tournament.

“Tunisia has seen a surge in Covid-19 cases, and have since written to Rugby Africa informing them that they will no longer be able to host the tournament.

“We stand guided by Rugby Africa on the way forward and remain confident that they are looking at possible avenues for the tournament to go on, preferably at a later date and venue,” Made said.

Tunisia currently has one of Africa’s highest coronavirus infection rates.

As part of the partial lockdown, gatherings such as collective prayers, public celebrations, sporting and cultural events are prohibited until July 14 in the four regions of Greater Tunis, as well as in the seaside cities of Sousse and Monastir (east).

Cafes and restaurants will only be allowed to serve takeaway orders, and the 8pm-to-5am curfew has been extended.