Cardiff Rugby to fly to UK from South Africa tomorrow

They'll have to quarantine in a hotel on arrival in England

Author: Polly OliverPublished 1st Dec 2021
Last updated 1st Dec 2021

Cardiff Rugby will return to England from South Africa on a charter flight on tomorrow, before entering a quarantine hotel.

After travelling to the country for United Rugby Championship fixtures which were postponed, they've been stuck there following positive Covid-19 tests in their squad.

The club released a statement, adding their thanks to sporting and South African government bodies that had helped them through a “difficult time”:

“Cardiff Rugby plan to depart Cape Town on Thursday morning after the club secured a charter flight and quarantine accommodation in England.

“The Blue and Blacks’ travelling contingent, which includes 15 full Welsh internationals, had been left stranded in the city after South Africa was placed on the UK’s red list and borders were closed to arrivals from six countries on the continent - now 10 in Wales.

“It had been hoped they would be able to depart on a flight with Munster Rugby, Scarlets and Zebre Parma on Sunday, but two positive cases ruled out the departure.

“However, working in collaboration with the United Rugby Championship and the Welsh Rugby Union, a charter flight has been confirmed for Thursday morning. Upon arrival in England, Wales’ capital city club will then begin a 10-day period of isolation in a UK Government Covid-19 hotel.

“Those remaining in South Africa will undertake 10-days quarantine in a South African Covid-19 hotel and will be repatriated to the UK as soon as possible.

“Cardiff Rugby would like to thank the URC, WRU and government agencies in South Africa for their support at this difficult time.”

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