The clash between the Cell C Sharks and the New Nation Pumas, scheduled for Durban on Friday, has been called off due to unrest in KwaZulu-Natal, while Saturday’s match in Kimberley between Tafel Lager Griquas and the Vodacom Bulls is also off.

Tournament rules make provision for the cancellation of matches due to extraordinary circumstances and as a result, the scores in both these matches will be noted as 0-0, with all four teams awarded four log points.

The same will apply to the match that was cancelled last weekend, between the Sigma Lions and the Cell C Sharks (0-0 and four log points each).

Saturday’s match between the Sigma Lions and Toyota Cheetahs in Johannesburg will take place.

Jurie Roux, CEO of SA Rugby, said: “We are living in unusual times and while it’s never ideal to have to cancel matches, we had very little other options. We would like to thank the teams, sponsors, our broadcaster and other stakeholders for working together to find solutions to our challenges.”