In a frosty twist of fate that could rival any Nordic saga, the Cheetahs’ playoff dreams were mercilessly buried under a blanket of snow and ice this past weekend. The EPCR Challenge Cup pool match pitting South Africa’s Cheetahs against Ulster was axed, with the pitch at Dukes Rugby Club in ’s-Hertogenbosch turning into more of an ice rink than a rugby field. The referee, Kevin Bralley, had no choice but to deem the pitch a no-go zone, leading to the match being cancelled and points being handed over to Ulster on a frosty silver platter.
Originally, this chilly saga saw the game relocated from Amsterdam to ’s-Hertogenbosch due to adverse weather hitting the Dutch capital. However, even this strategic move couldn't outpace the severe European cold snap, complete with its festive ensemble of freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall. The decision to award Ulster a 28-0 win was like adding salt to the icy wounds of the Cheetahs, leaving them stranded at the bottom of Pool 3 with zero points and no mathematical whisper of a chance to advance to the knockout stages.
The EPCR was unforgiving in its verdict, stating that the onus was on the hosting club to ensure the game could proceed. Despite the Herculean efforts by the Cheetahs and Rugby Nederland to salvage the fixture, rules are rules, and Ulster walked away with a tidy bundle of five match points. The statement from EPCR noted, "It is the hosting club’s responsibility to ensure the match can go ahead; and therefore the match result must be recorded as a 0-28 four-try bonus point win for Ulster Rugby."
"Despite the obvious challenges connected with the playing of this fixture, and noting the incredible efforts of the Cheetahs and Rugby Nederland to ensure the fixture could take place, it is the hosting club’s responsibility to ensure the match can go ahead; and therefore the match result must be recorded as a 0-28 four-try bonus point win for Ulster Rugby, with five match points being awarded as a consequence, pursuant to EPCR regulations."
The Cheetahs, now playing solely for pride, will face Racing 92 in France in their final pool match on Sunday. It’s less a question of what’s at stake, and more of a quest to exit the stage with heads held high. EPCR extended thanks to the Cheetahs, Rugby Nederland, and Ulster for their cooperation throughout the frost-laden fiasco.
While the Cheetahs might be frozen out of this year’s playoff picture, the game of rugby is no stranger to unexpected twists and icy disappointments. As the teams prepare for their next engagements, the frozen pitch at ’s-Hertogenbosch will serve as a chilly reminder of the havoc that nature can wreak on even the best-laid plans.
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In a frosty twist of fate that could rival any Nordic saga, the Cheetahs’ playoff dreams were mercilessly buried under a blanket of snow and ice this past weekend. The EPCR Challenge Cup pool match pitting South Africa’s Cheetahs against Ulster was axed, with the pitch at Dukes Rugby Club in ’s-Hertogenbosch turning into more of an ice rink than a rugby field. The referee, Kevin Bralley, had no choice but to deem the pitch a no-go zone, leading to the match being cancelled and points being handed over to Ulster on a frosty silver platter.
Originally, this chilly saga saw the game relocated from Amsterdam to ’s-Hertogenbosch due to adverse weather hitting the Dutch capital. However, even this strategic move couldn't outpace the severe European cold snap, complete with its festive ensemble of freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall. The decision to award Ulster a 28-0 win was like adding salt to the icy wounds of the Cheetahs, leaving them stranded at the bottom of Pool 3 with zero points and no mathematical whisper of a chance to advance to the knockout stages.
The EPCR was unforgiving in its verdict, stating that the onus was on the hosting club to ensure the game could proceed. Despite the Herculean efforts by the Cheetahs and Rugby Nederland to salvage the fixture, rules are rules, and Ulster walked away with a tidy bundle of five match points. The statement from EPCR noted, "It is the hosting club’s responsibility to ensure the match can go ahead; and therefore the match result must be recorded as a 0-28 four-try bonus point win for Ulster Rugby."
"Despite the obvious challenges connected with the playing of this fixture, and noting the incredible efforts of the Cheetahs and Rugby Nederland to ensure the fixture could take place, it is the hosting club’s responsibility to ensure the match can go ahead; and therefore the match result must be recorded as a 0-28 four-try bonus point win for Ulster Rugby, with five match points being awarded as a consequence, pursuant to EPCR regulations."
The Cheetahs, now playing solely for pride, will face Racing 92 in France in their final pool match on Sunday. It’s less a question of what’s at stake, and more of a quest to exit the stage with heads held high. EPCR extended thanks to the Cheetahs, Rugby Nederland, and Ulster for their cooperation throughout the frost-laden fiasco.
While the Cheetahs might be frozen out of this year’s playoff picture, the game of rugby is no stranger to unexpected twists and icy disappointments. As the teams prepare for their next engagements, the frozen pitch at ’s-Hertogenbosch will serve as a chilly reminder of the havoc that nature can wreak on even the best-laid plans.