The Scarlets have left South Africa and are on their way to Europe.
While Cardiff and Munster are having to stay on in Cape Town after positive Covid tests, the west Wales region have been able to depart.
It’s understood they are initially heading for Dublin, along with the Zebre squad.
It remains to be seen what happens then in terms of onward journeys and where they will go through their mandatory 10-day hotel quarantine.
Similarly, it's unclear whether they will be in a position to fulfil their opening Champions Cup tie away to Bristol on Saturday, December 11.
The Scarlets were out in South Africa, along with the other teams, for two rounds of United Rugby Championship matches.
But those fixtures were cancelled with the country being placed on the UK’s red list from 12 noon on Friday because of a worrying new coronavirus variant.
The priority then switched to getting the teams home safely.
Cardiff and the Scarlets had been hoping to fly back home on Friday, with a charter flight having been secured.
That would have got them home before the Sunday 4am cut-off after which point everyone arriving in the UK from South Africa has to quarantine in a hotel for 10 days.
But they could not gain Civil Aviation Authority clearance due to the closure of borders in the UK and European Union.
Now, however, the Scarlets have managed to get out.
Scarlets chairman Simon Muderack said: “Scarlets have taken off from Cape Town and are en route to Europe.
“All squad and staff are on board. Thanks to the Welsh Rugby Union, United Rugby Championship and Zebre colleagues, as well as Munster and Cardiff as they remain in South Africa.”
Unfortunately, Cardiff have been unable to depart following two positive cases of Covid-19, one of which is suspected to be the new variant Omicron. You can read the full story here.
Munster have also had to stay put after a positive case.
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