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According to a report, three more of the Springboks' 1981 squad have tested positive for the coronavirus.
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The news comes hot on the heels of confirmation late last week that legendary former Springbok centre Danie Gerber had tested positive.
At the time of the confirmation of Gerber's test, there were immediate fears over the health of several other members of the 1981 Springbok squad who had attended a golf day along with Gerber mere days prior.
Those who were at the golf day and stayed at the Border Hotel in Jan Kempdorp included joint owner of the hotel Henning van Aswegen, Burger Geldenhuys, Divan Serfontein, Colin Beck and Gysie Pienaar.
According to a reliable source, Serfontein, Beck and Geldenhuys have now all tested positive for Covid-19 currently sweeping the world.
In addition, another former Springbok, Robbie Blair, who was also present at the golf day, has also tested positive.
South Africa's 1981 tour polarised opinions and led to widespread protests across New Zealand. Apartheid had made South Africa an international pariah and countries were strongly discouraged from having sporting contacts with it. However, despite the controversy, the New Zealand Rugby Union decided to proceed with the tour. After the tour, no official sporting contact took place between New Zealand and South Africa until the early 1990s, after apartheid had been abolished.
In the three-Test series, the All Blacks won the first clash in Christchurch 14-9. The Springboks bounced back in the second Test in Wellington, winning 24-12. The third and deciding Test in Auckland was marred by controversy both on and off the field. A low-flying plane dropped flour-bombs on the pitch while a late debatable penalty awarded to the home side saw the All Blacks sneak a 25-22 win.
South Africa is currently in the midst of a 21-day lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic with the country having reported 1 326 positive cases and three deaths as of Monday evening.
