Sanzaar has confirmed that New Zealand is currently the favoured option to possibly host a revised Rugby Championship in one central location later this year.

Hopes for a bio-bubble in Australia or New Zealand have always seemed to be key for the Springboks to go through a necessary period of safety checks and quarantine before possibly taking part in a shortened Rugby Championship tournament.

That has since been confirmed in a statement from Sanzaar released on Thursday, but clarified that New Zealand was the preferred host country.

‘Having successfully restarted [Vodacom] Super Rugby this year in Australia and New Zealand our focus is now on the Rugby Championship that is set to be played in one central location. We have determined that New Zealand is currently the favoured option given the Covid stability within the region.

‘Critical to this, however, is alignment with the New Zealand government around its requirements for this to take place. Sanzaar is well advanced in option planning with New Zealand Rugby, which in turn, is now seeking New Zealand government approval. It is hoped that details on the TRC will be announced in the near future.’

Meanwhile, Sanzaar also reiterated the ‘value of the Sanzaar alliance’.

‘There is a clear understanding that the value of the Sanzaar alliance and it remains critical to the long-term success, development and competitiveness of the respective national teams. Our record in cross-hemisphere matches and World Cup tournaments are evidence of this.’

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