The much-anticipated friendly between the Border Bulldogs and Blue Bulls scheduled for tomorrow has been called off because Border Rugby Union could not raise funds to host the Pretoria outfit.
This was revealed by BRU administrator Monde Tabata who said the two clubs will now meet in the Currie Cup on July 9 at the Buffalo City Stadium.
According to Tabata, the Blue Bulls were going to have a five-day stay in East London in what would have been an extended visit which would have included sharing expertise, amongst other things.
Border tried in vain to secure external funding until they opted to cancel the friendly on Wednesday realising they were running out of time.
BRU had committed to cover the accommodation costs for the Blue Bulls but “time pressures in terms of securing the funding” brought about the eventual cancellation of the tour.
Tabata said: “Us securing funding was moving slower than we had anticipated and time was not on our side.
“We had to look for the money outside of Border coffers because of allocated budget issues inside the union as we were supposed to carry the costs for the accommodation of the visiting team.”
The visiting side was due to be travelling with a 50-member contingent of two teams plus their technical staff. “They (Blue Bulls) were ready earlier than us and our delays were messing with their planning hence we decided to pull the plug.”
Tabata said the latest developments did not mean the end of the world as Border was working on a “fraternal” and long-term relationship with the Pretoria side. Part of the partnership would include the two sharing, among other things, coaching expertise and players from time to time with Border set to benefit the most from their well-resourced and advanced partners.
The “extended visit” of the Blue Bulls would have gone a long way in strengthening Border ahead of what is expected to be a gruelling Currie Cup season which starts in earnest next month.
The East London-based provincial side will now have to count on their remaining two friendlies – both on the road, firstly in Kokstad next weekend where they will play the Sharks before continuing with their journey to Bloemfontein a week later where they are scheduled to square off against the Cheetahs.
The Bulldogs Currie Cup 2016 opener will be a tough encounter away from home to the Golden Lions on April 8 before their first home game of the season against the Sharks seven days later