New Springboks coach Jacques Nienaber has indicated they are doubtful starters for this year’s Rugby Championship, casting a cloud over the SANZAAR tournament.
Nienaber, who replaced Rassie Erasmus after last year’s World Cup triumph in Japan, fears his players won’t be physically ready for the four-nations event which is provisionally scheduled to be played entirely in New Zealand from November 7 to December 12.
World Rugby confirmed its backing for the new “emergency” international window, pushed back three months because of COVID-19.
However, Nienaber noted the vast discrepancy in readiness for his players compared to those in Australasia.
While Wallabies and All Blacks players will have had a steady diet of Super Rugby matches to have their players in shape, their Springboks and Argentina counterparts have been starved of high-level competition.
The impact of the pandemic in both South Africa and Argentina has left both nations unable to begin domestic competitions.
Nienaber wants the South African Currie Cup to have begun by the end of August or would be reluctant to risk the welfare of Springboks on the Test stage.
“We have a responsibility to ensure that the players have received sufficient conditioning so that they can play rugby,” he told Rapport newspaper.
“If we can’t play six games, then I don’t think we will go. The player well-being risk would just be too great.”
Nienaber wants to take a large 45-man squad to New Zealand given the quarantine requirements if additional players need to be flown in later.
NZ Rugby chief executive Mark Robinson has said he would investigate the possibility of players from South Africa and Argentina arriving several weeks out from the Rugby Championship and playing warm-up matches on Kiwi soil.
Nienaber said the commitment of his players to spend at least two months away from family in coronavirus-hit South Africa would be a difficult call for each of them to make.
“That raises all sorts of extra anxieties, never mind the massively challenging rugby aspects involved,” he said.
“You can only imagine the predicament facing guys if a close relative, for example, is suddenly badly affected by the virus back home.
“Can you fly back? Do you fly back?
“What happens if you then hope to return to the tournament, meaning fresh quarantining requirements?”
Ex force fan
Guest
Players will not be prepared to leave their family as there are more important things in life that rugby - even for South Africans...
Ex force fan
Guest
The competition is pretty intense. Although NZ dominated many teams in the world including Scotland, Wales, Ireland, etc test rugby is still worth watching even if you know that it it likely that the All Blacks will win. It is definitely better to have games decided by a few points like the recent All Black - Bok tests however you cannot expect every game in a competition to be that competitive.
Jacko
Guest
Id get to about 4 I reckon before the machine was set and I watched them later...The point is that there is no point having games in Aus or SA or Arg as no crowds are allowed and TV rights will be the same no matter where the games are played so with my understanding that teams will share all revenue they will get more from all games being in NZ...Even if thats only a 3 match series v Aus
Jacko
Guest
Adsa its a better position to be in when the job disapears than having about 110mil less in the bank but if you disagree then your accountant should be put down for giving rubbish advice
Jokerman
Roar Guru
I accidentally pushed it trying to edit. Or was it the force doing it ?! Peace, Corne. Peace out.
You liked your own comment? Like I said, you are coming over a tad desperate mate.
Jokerman
Roar Guru
….and that wasn’t even close to taunting. You ask the Australian Roarers. That was nothing! Just for now though…
Jokerman
Roar Guru
Chillz Corn, chillz man ! Choose peace ! The show must go on! :)
Is it the desperation that makes you wanting to taunt me? Somehow the Springboks will run to NZ because you taunt? Sadly my friend the Boks aren’t going to pay attention to you, as for thr bible studies, perhaps we can all do with a little more faith these days, eh?
Jokerman
Roar Guru
It’s okay, Corne. I just want the game to go on. The show must go on. It’ll be almost like a Lions tour. Peace and I wish you all the best with your bible studies.
Quite desperate from you needing as much advatage as possible to bea the Boks, eh? Play at home, meet an unprepared side, all in the name of the mighty all blacks. :thumbup:
Jokerman
Roar Guru
Here pootie pootie cat. C’mon, it’ll be okay. Come to Aotearoa now.
Ex force fan
Guest
Let them die on their own? Not gonna work...
yeah, sure, they must have run out of toilet paper thinking about facing the All Blacks. Those poor RWC Champions.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Well their families are there now anyway aren't they?
And their families?
Adsa
Roar Rookie
That would be great, throw in some mid week games.
Jokerman
Roar Guru
Of course they are scared. They’ve only beaten the All Blacks once in their last ten games. They know their ranking will fall. But it will be awesome! Come to Aotearoa !! We’ll give you some friendlies to get you warmed up. Chiefs would like to play you. Here pootie pootie ...
fiwiboy7042
Roar Rookie
Absolutely the right call if they call it off. And I can see Argentina doing the same. That being the case, I could see a case developing for the Wallabies to do an old-fashioned three-test tour of NZ based largely on the COVID-19 status of these countries. Such a tour would allow the RA to negotiate broadcast rights independent of Super/SANZAAR rights -- provided the administrators have put their knives away!
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
At Least the Spring Bok's coach has got it right. IMO until at such time as a vaccine is found for this virus, the way the pandemic is spreading, I cannot see Jacinda Adern giving Richardson the OK to bring in International squads of over 45 into the country, after imposing strict lockdowns in the country over previous months. So possibly next years looks the go. Cheers