Glasgow Warriors: 32 members of travelling party were hit with severe gastrointestinal illness in South Africa

Glasgow have issued an update on their squad that was hit by a severe gastrointestinal illness in South Africa that caused a fixture postponement.

The Warriors were scheduled to face the Lions in Johannesburg last weekend but the game was called off after the Scottish team were struck by the illness.

In a boost for their supporters, however, Glasgow have revealed that all members of their touring party have now travelled back safely from Johannesburg.

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32 members of Glasgow group were unwell

“The club’s medical team have confirmed that 32 members of the traveling party were unwell with severe gastrointestinal illness whilst in South Africa, with numbers escalating in the second week of the tour resulting in the club being unable to safely field a team against the Emirates Lions,” the club explained.

“The symptoms of the illness and transmission behaved like Norovirus and this has subsequently been confirmed via medical testing.

“The club escalated its infection control behaviours immediately after the first illness was identified and sought out advice from local and Scottish infection control experts throughout the tour.”

The statement continued: “Durban coast is also currently colonised with E.Coli following the tragic floods in the region earlier this year and Glasgow Warriors took steps to mitigate exposure. Although present in our sample we await further tests to determine its role in our illness.

“Preparations have now begun for the club’s upcoming game against Benetton at Scotstoun on Friday 28 October.

“Glasgow Warriors would like to thank everyone who helped us during our time in South Africa, in particular the Sharks medical team and SARU.”

As mentioned, Glasgow’s focus will now turn to Friday’s clash with Benetton, which is their final United Rugby Championship game before November 26.

Ulster provided own update on Sunday

On Sunday, Ulster released their own update after their United Rugby Championship game against the Sharks last weekend was postponed due to ill health.

In the statement, the province revealed that 29 players and 13 support staff were unwell ahead of the Durban meeting that was due to take place on Saturday.

The Round Six fixture was postponed following an independent medical assessment, with the update over the weekend offering more details on the concerns.

“We came to Durban with our sights set on doing what, to this point, no other team in the URC has managed to do – the double in South Africa. This was going to be a huge challenge but exactly the type of challenge, as competitors, we look for,” said Ulster head coach Dan McFarland in quotes below the statement.

“We are used to travelling to South Africa and what it requires, and this level of sickness was unprecedented. Whilst staying in Durban, 29 players and 13 support staff were hit with BOTH E. coli and Norovirus. It’s disappointing, especially given how unwell our group was, that some chose to question the reasoning for our game to be postponed, as we have invested a lot as a group and an organisation in getting this fixture played.”