BREAKING: Leinster Issue Update On Nacewa & Gibson-Park After SA Visa Refusal
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Heading home.
Leinster captain Isa Nacewa and scrumhalf Jamison Gibson-Park will fly back to Ireland after being refused entry to South Africa 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 must not have been aware of.
Oh dear. Kiwis have to visit South African High Commission in Wellington to submit a visa application form "in person." #PRO14 https://t.co/VDsUQqZzgg
— Gavin Cummiskey (@Cumoski) September 13, 2017
Leinster released the following statement in the last few minutes:
Leinster Rugby can confirm that both Jamison Gibson-Park and Isa Nacewa have not been granted a visa at this point in time and will as a result return to Dublin at the earliest opportunity.
Nick McCarthy has been called up to the touring squad as a result and will arrive tomorrow.
Leinster Rugby will be making no further comment on this matter.
Being the first team to travel to South Africa in the new expanded competition, it’s only natural things like this were going to happen. Unfortunately for Leinster they’re the guinea pigs!
