The Welwitschias have withdrawn from the Currie Cup First Division as the Namibian Rugby Union is unable to pay for teams to travel to Windhoek.

On Wednesday, the NRU announced that it had raised over R900,000 to cover the cost of three South African teams’ trips to Windhoek. Those unions claimed they were unable to afford it due to their dire financial state, with the Leopards said to be willing to forfeit all their away games this season.

However, this money has failed to materialise.

‘It’s unfortunate that the Namibian team had to withdraw from the Currie Cup First Division, but our decision was that they have to pay for teams to travel to Windhoek for their home games, which they agreed to do,’ said SA Rugby CEO Jurie Roux.

‘We’ve since been informed that they can’t do that anymore and that the Welwitschias will withdraw from the competition, which means that all remaining teams will now have a bye on the weekend they were scheduled to play the Namibians.’

Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images