Whilst they are also trying to help promoters, once this challenging period has passed, Lejaka says they will try and help boxers by sanctioning more boxing tournaments as they continue to try and cushioning the blow. He says they will not relax their compliance regulations even though they will try and be considerate.

There is also no doubt that boxing promoters especially those who had prior arrangements and approvals from government departments and potential sponsors would be the most hit by this lock-down period. Lejaka says they are work hand in hand with the promoters to soften the blow.

By now, BSA was also supposed to have kick started 2019 Boxing Awards nomination process but this is something that will also be affected because some of the nominations are received via post.

Like many companies, BSA will be continuing to work during this period remotely, the end of March also coincides with the period which is the end of fiscal for government and they start a new fiscal from the first of April. Lejaka says they were already advanced in preparing for this period.

Lejaka also explains why this licensing period cannot just to be left to be done online only as this would inconvenience licenses who will not have access to complete their applications online.

The 21-day lock-down enforced in South Africa as a response to the growing number of cases of the coronavirus has also forced different sporting codes to restructure how they have been doing things. One of those affected is Boxing South Africa (BSA), besides having earlier cancelled or postponed sanctioned boxing tournaments, the lock-down has also forced them re-consider the licensing application and renewals, a process which was already underway. BSA CEO Tsholo Lejaka says they’ve noticed that most licensees are yet to renew and they have taken a decision to extend until after this lock-down period.

His own foundation is helping hospitals in Cape Town and Port Elizabeth with medical supplies and equipment, and Kolisi says all South Africans need to do what we can, no matter how big or small.

The World Cup-winning captain says that lockdown has not stopped the Stormers with their social responsibilities though the situation has meant having to improvise.

Kolisi was injured in the Stormers first game of the season, and had been a few weeks away from returning, and will now continue his rehabilitation at home.

Springbok and Stormers Captain Siya Kolisi says all South Africans need to pull together and play their part as the world faces the Coronavirus pandemic. With the country now in its first few days of the lockdown, Kolisi says the decision to have the lock-down shows just how serious the government is taking the situation.