[ad_1]
By Mike Greenaway 
30 m ago
DURBAN – It’s official. The Springboks have withdrawn from the Rugby Championship and will not travel to Australia to play Argentina, Australia and New Zealand.
In a massive boost to South Africa’s national game, 45 top-tier players who were due to leave for Australia this weekend, and only return in mid-December, will now strengthen Super Rugby Unlocked and then the Currie Cup.
SA Rugby said on Friday it had withdrawn over concerns about the “well-being of the players” as the defending champions had less time to prepare than New Zealand and host Australia, who completed national tournaments weeks ago and opened their testing season. the last weekend.
The annual tournament, which also features Argentina, has already been delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic and is being held in a country for the first time.
“This is a hugely disappointing result for fans and business partners, but the continued impacts of the pandemic … mean we cannot deliver a Springbok team without seriously compromising the well-being of the players, in addition to other logistical challenges,” he said CEO Jurie Roux. it said in a statement with the governing body Sanzaar.
The Championship will now consist of six Tests starting with the third Bledisloe Cup clash between the hosts and New Zealand in Sydney on October 31.
It will be the first time since 1994 that South Africa will go a year without playing Australia and New Zealand.
The three nations launched the Tri-Nations in 1996 and welcomed Argentina into the renamed Rugby Championship in 2012.
“Naturally, it is extremely disappointing that the Springboks, due to the continuing complexities of operating in and around this Covid environment, cannot fully compete in the previously planned six-round Rugby Championship,” said Sanzaar CEO Andy Marinos. .
FINANCIAL CHALLENGES
South Africa’s withdrawal will mean a huge impact on tournament revenue at a time when participating nations are battling financial challenges brought on by the pandemic.
The curtailment of matches can also create tensions with broadcasters, who expected full competition and may seek to renegotiate terms.
Rugby Australia, in particular, is under pressure as they seek to secure a new television rights deal for 2021 and beyond, but more broadly, the decision raises concerns about the long-term future of Southern Hemisphere rugby.
South Africa has long considered the idea of joining the Northern Hemisphere due to the lucrative European TV market, easier logistics and a more favorable time zone.
Less than three weeks ago, SARU voted to withdraw its top four Super Rugby franchises and explore expanding its presence in the European PRO14 competition.
The South African Cheetahs and Southern Kings have played in PRO14 since 2017.
Nations from the Northern Hemisphere are scheduled to play in the new eight-team Fall Nations Cup in Europe in November, with the 2021 Six Nations kicking off in February.
South Africa, however, faces entering the British & Irish Lions series at home next July without playing a test since their victory in last year’s World Cup final in Japan.
Wallabies coach Dave Rennie said the Springboks’ absence was disappointing for the competition and for their players.
“If they don’t come, obviously there are fewer games and fewer opportunities for some of our young people to get a taste of Springbok football,” he told reporters.
“It has been a challenging year. Again, we are going to have to make changes and adjust.”
Argentina, most of whose players have not had preparation for the match in the run-up, are already training at a biosecure facility in Sydney.
The Pumas arrived after several players and staff, including coach Mario Ledesma, tested positive for COVID-19 during a preparatory camp at home.
Tri-Nations 2020 match schedule
Oct 31: Australia v New Zealand (ANZ Stadium, Sydney)
November 7: Australia v New Zealand (Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane)
November 14: New Zealand v Argentina (Bankwest Stadium, Sydney)
November 21: Argentina v Australia (McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle)
November 28: Argentina v New Zealand (McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle)
December 5: Australia v Argentina (Bankwest Stadium, Sydney)
Additional information from Reuters
[ad_2]
