The Currie Cup play-off dates were rescheduled to allow teams to manage COVID-19 challenges and ensure the tournament's integrity, SA Rugby announced.

The semifinals will now be played on January 23, with the final scheduled for January 30.

"COVID-19 precautionary measures have triggered the adjustment of the Carling Currie Cup playoff dates, with both semi-finals and the final now scheduled for a week later than initially planned," SA Rugby said in a statement.

South Africa's Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus said the integrity of the competition was a key area in discussions involving all stakeholders.

"We've agreed to move out the dates of the semi-finals and the final by a week to give all the teams the best possible chance to be ready for their matches, bearing in mind we did not have the option to move it out by weeks," Erasmus said.

The rescheduling of the fixtures is a potent reminder of the challenges the country is facing in tackling the coronavirus pandemic.

If a team will be unable to participate in the semi-final because of COVID-19 infections, that team will forfeit the match and the opposing team will progress to the final, SA Rugby added.

If neither team is able to compete, the side with the most log points at the conclusion of the pool stage will progress to the final.

Once the semifinals are completed and the final will have to be postponed, then both competing teams will agree on a suitable date for it to be held.

The semifinals will see the Vodacom Bulls host the Xerox Lions in Pretoria, while DHL Western Province will take on the Cell C Sharks in Cape Town.

The Currie Cup is the second domestic rugby tournament organized by SA Rugby following the conclusion of the Vodacom Super Rugby Unlocked.

(With input from South African Rugby)