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All Blacks v Springboks (Photo by Anthony Au-Yeung / Getty Images)
The Springboks were included in the 2020 Rugby Championship matches published on Thursday, but the world champions have several obstacles to overcome before they can participate.
First, the government must lift the ban on republic teams from competing internationally, which was introduced earlier this year when the coronavirus pandemic spread to southern Africa.
Then SA Rugby officials must convince national coach Jacques Nienaber to change his stance on how many matches a player must play before being ready for international service.
“If we can’t play six (national) games, then I don’t think we’ll go (to the Rugby Championship). The risks to the well-being of the players would be too great,” said the coach.
If South Africa competes in the tournament from November 7 against hosts Australia, New Zealand and Argentina, they will do so without the local stars reaching the six-match goal.
A season halted in March by Covid-19 restarts on Saturday with two games in Pretoria between South African Super Rugby teams, the Bulls, Lions, Sharks and Stormers.
Cape Town hosts a Springbok test a week later, then on October 10, a Super Rugby Unlocked competition begins involving the ‘big four’ plus the Cheetahs, Griquas and Pumas.
Even if the Springboks can delay their departure until after the third round on the weekend of October 23/24, the local players will have played a maximum of five games.
While South African stars have limited themselves to training, largely without contact, since the end of March, New Zealand and Australia hosted national competitions.
The All Blacks and Wallabies will also benefit from two international Bledisloe Cup matches before the Rugby Championship begins.
“If Jacques and (rugby director) Rassie (Erasmus) had their way, the Springboks would probably not go to the Rugby Championship this year,” a senior rugby official told AFP.
“Jurie (Roux, SA Rugby CEO) and other officials are aware of the risks of sending a poorly prepared team, but financial considerations must be taken into account.”
SA Rugby suffered losses in 2016 and 2017, made small gains over the next two years, and then cut R1.2 billion from the 2020 budget due to the pandemic.
Roux acknowledged the difficult decision that must be made, saying that “ultimately, it will be a rugby decision … but there is an economic imperative.”
As South Africa celebrated the World Cup triumph, memories remain fresh of the Springboks conceding 57 points in successive games against New Zealand a few years ago.
Former Springbok captain Wynand Claassen says “SA Rugby must take a stand and decide what is in the best interests of the national team.
“Yes, money talks, but it’s not all about money. I think we should forget about the Rugby Championship this year,” he told the Johannesburg daily The Citizen.
Author and respected Business Day columnist Gavin Rich has argued for several months against competing in the four-country competition.
“Going to the championship with players who have played few games will leave them vulnerable to the kind of beatings suffered against New Zealand a few seasons ago.
“Big losses could undermine much of the progress that has been made in rebuilding the Springbok aura by winning the World Cup.”
