If a match is abandoned

What happens if a match is abandoned? It can happen if lights fail or if weather becomes threatening.

In Bloemfontein in Friday night the lights went out in the second half with the Bulls leading the Cheetahs 31-27.

In 1991 France played the USA in Colorado Springs and were leading 10-3 when the referee, Albert Adams of South Africa, abandoned the match when the lightning became dangerous.

When the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University played the University of Cape Town on Monday - the Madibaz against the Ikeys - there was concern before the match as the weather became wild. Wind is common in Port Elizabeth but this became an electric storm.

What would have happened if the match had been abandoned?

This is not covered by the laws of the game but by the regulations of a competition. Those of the Varsity Cup and the Super 14 are more or less the same. They are standard procedures.

Varsity Cup

If, because of weather conditions or light failure, the match is  not played or is it is abandoned before half-time, the match will be rescheduled.

If, because of the weather or light failure, the match is abandoned at half time or in the second half, the match is regarded as played. The score remains.

Super 14

The Super 14 is the same for the match abandoned at half-time or in the second half - the score stands. If Jonathan Kaplan had abandoned the match in Bloemfontein the Bulls would have won 31-47. If the teams had not taken the field in Port Elizabeth, the match would have had to be played at a later date.

But if a Super 14 match is abandoned in the first half, the match is declared a draw.