The Springboks’ participation in the 2020 Rugby Championship will remain up in the air for a while longer, after SANZAAR gave South Africa Rugby two more days to come to a decision about their involvement in the tournament.
SA Rugby were expected to announce today whether the Springboks would make the trip to Australia or pull out of the tournament. However, following a SANZAAR CEO’s call on Tuesday, it was decided the governing body would be given 48 more hours to make their final call, a decision which could push back the side’s Round 1 fixture against Argentina.
The Springboks were due to player Los Pumas in their tournament opener at Suncorp Stadium on November 7, but quarantine requirements for the arriving players could see that game now rescheduled.
“The SANZAAR member unions have agreed to provide South Africa Rugby with an additional 48 hours to finalise its internal stakeholder discussions,” a SANZAAR statement read.
“This will now delay the scheduled departure of the Springboks from South Africa to Australia. SANZAAR will provide an update on the resolution of the discussions and a timetable for the Springboks’ participation in the Rugby Championship when available in the coming days.
“The Bledisloe Cup fixtures between Australia and New Zealand on Saturday, October 31 and Saturday, November 7 in Sydney and Brisbane respectively are unaffected and will go ahead as scheduled.”
It had been rumoured earlier in the week that SA Rugby were about to announce their withdrawal from the tournament due to concerns around player welfare, however Rugby Australia officials have been reported as being confident of the Boks’ participation.
The Rugby Championship is expected to create $30 million in revenue to be split between the four governing bodies involved, meaning SA Rugby would stand to lose some $7.5 million should they pull out.
However, their withdrawal would also create financial headaches for Australia, New Zealand and Argentina. Broadcasters signed off on the tournament’s Saturday double-header format, which of course will not be possible without all four teams taking part. Without the Springboks, broadcast contracts would have to be renegotiated in part if not in their entirety.
Indeed!
Guest
They should just play. We all understand they are underdone and are appreciative that they are here. But it could be an opportunity to test themselves out under different circumstances and see how they go, a bit like a long lay off from golf. Sometimes you come out and play a blinder of a game.
Simoc
Guest
We'll have to see how it pans out but the signs are great for the Wallabiies. Don't have Super Rugby and the Kiwis don't know what to expect. Even better their big names have zero psychological impact. Just develop the game locally and play NZ every second year. We'll soon know how strong they are.
Simoc
Guest
Perfect I reckon. Most have been playing then they get two weeks together in full on mode. What is a better preparation. Isolation is perfect. no media allowed!
ethan
Guest
If the Boks don't show they will go from being seen as world beaters to pussycats. Better an honourable defeat, than a dishonourable boycott.
The Late News
Roar Rookie
And can you blame them Corne? I can't.
The Late News
Roar Rookie
Slouch v lemon squeezer. Interesting concept.
The Late News
Roar Rookie
On dangerous ground here hombre!
Harry Jones
Expert
But but but ... I dunno! :laughing:
PeterK
Roar Guru
but have had less games to prepare and have even bigger issues with the team they put together AND they have Cheika as an advisor.
Harry Jones
Expert
Argentina flew earlier. Haha!
PeterK
Roar Guru
no Arg are even bigger underdogs, you don't even get to claim that :crying:
Right you are, you criticize SARU , yet come up with no clear suggestion of what they did wrong, cheers.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Corne, it's hard to discuss with a wall. Have a good day
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Thanks, while never having been there, I have previously been very close with some South Africans for a long time, so got a much better understanding of what goes on. But I am very much aware viewing things from our nice little homes here is nothing compared to living the reality over there - and think that’s the disconnect people have. Like I’ve said before you guys can make it. It won’t be the same without the Boks.
Well explained , thanks Paulo, perhaps Bobby needs to consider those factors before jumping the gun.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
I think he is suggesting that there could have been exemptions and some alleviation of the lockdown requirements for the players. Like we had here in Aus and NZ. I think the missing part is understand the decision making machine in SA is not the same as in Aus and NZ. NZ where rugby is the preferred religious domination, and Aus where RA followed on the NRLs coat tails, are worlds apart from the quagmire of SA politics. No amount of planning can overcome that. If people don’t fully grasp that, it’s hard for them to understand what you guys actually have to deal with over there.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Given the fact international travel will not be free and easy, with the extremely high likelihood of restrictions in place, a standard SR season is not an option for 2021. You said “ kill the SANZAAR agreement for Super Rugby up to 2025” This isn’t the case (yet), and is different to your second post asking me to explain the ‘21 season. Putting aside all the other stuff, do you think SA and Arg can compete in a normal SR comp next year?
Explain bobby, don’t just throw a generalization out there, if you are of the belief they could have done better, tell me how. Otherwise your conjecture that they didn’t plan anything means little.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
That's my point Corne. It should have started earlier with similar protocols that we and NZ had. IF they tried it, and it didn't work, then fine.
And how would that bubble have worked considering no rugby has been played until two weeks ago?