Leinster Issue Statement After Visa Calamity In South Africa
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Whoops.
Leinster captain Isa Nacewa and scrumhalf Jamison Gibson-Park will fly back to Ireland as soon as possible after being refused entry to South Africa yesterday morning over visa issues.
In December last year SA’s Minister of Home Affairs, Malusi Gigaba announced that travellers from New Zealand will have to obtain a visa to enter South Africa from 16 Jan 2017.
The two New Zealander’s were required to visit South African High Commission in Wellington to submit a visa application form “in person,” something Leinster have now admitted, they were not fully aware of.
A statement of behalf of Head of Rugby Operations Guy Easterby was released this morning:
“As of 16 January 2017 a visa is required for New Zealand nationals entering South Africa.
“Unfortunately this visa was not applied for by Leinster Rugby on behalf of Jamison Gibson-Park and Isa Nacewa in advance of the squad leaving Dublin Airport on Tuesday afternoon. It was only brought to our attention upon landing into Johannesburg on Wednesday morning that this was now a requirement.
“This was clearly an administrative oversight on our part and a valuable lesson has been learned.
“Nick McCarthy will arrive in later today and for the moment no other player will be called up to the squad.
“The squad is looking forward to the considerable challenge that awaits them against the Southern Kings.”
