The Springboks’ time in the Rugby Championship could be coming to an end with reports suggesting they could opt to join the Six Nations after the next World Cup.
The Daily Mail reports that negotiations have been going on for some time for South Africa to join their northern-hemisphere counterparts after the 2023 World Cup in France, with secret talks having been ramped up following the Springboks’ triumph in Japan.
The future of both the Rugby Championship and Six Nations has been at the centre of much speculation in recent times, with various calls for the competitions to undergo a shake-up.
There has also been talk of Japan or possibly Fiji joining a major competition. Should the Boks leave the Rugby Championship, though, it could pave the way for one or both of those sides to join New Zealand, Australia and Argentina in the Rugby Championship to fill the void left by South Africa.
The benefits of the potential South African move would include an improved TV deal, far easier travelling demands on the players and kick-off times more in line with domestic matches.
The latest move comes after the Cheetahs and the Kings dropped out of Vodacom Super Rugby to compete in the PRO14 in Europe.
Should the Boks’ inclusion in the Six Nations materialise, the competition would reportedly become a seven-team tournament rather than one team being booted out. One source told the Daily Mail ‘things are falling nicely into place’.
Photo: Hannah Peters/Getty Images
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