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- A report in the English publication The Telegraph says that Georgia, and not South Africa, will play in the Eight Nations tournament later this year.
- Official confirmation of Georgia’s listing is expected in the next two weeks, according to the report.
- It contradicts comments from French rugby president Bernard Laporte, who said the Six Nations were in advanced discussions with SA Rugby.
Georgia, not South Africa, will replace Japan in the Eight nations tournament later this year, a report indicates.
According to British publication The Telegraph, official confirmation of Georgia’s listing is expected in the coming weeks.
This contradicts recent reports that unions from the Six Nations were interested in the idea of the Springboks playing in the event that will also feature Fiji.
According to a weekend report in The role of rugby, the English, Irish, Scottish, Italian and French rugby federations unanimously supported South Africa to replace Japan in the competition.
This followed earlier comments from the president of the French Rugby Federation, Bernard Laporte, who said that the Six Nations were in advanced discussions with SA Rugby about bringing the Springboks into the tournament.
However, according to The Telegraph, Georgia will be in the same group as England, Ireland and Wales, with Scotland, France, Italy and Fiji in the other group. The top two teams from each group will contest the final at Twickenham.
The tournament is scheduled to take place in Europe from November 14 to December 5.
Uncertainty remains as to whether the Springboks will play test rugby in 2020, but it looks like it could now be at the Rugby Championship, which governing body Sanzaar expects to take place in New Zealand from November 7 to December 12.
– Compiled by Sport24 staff
