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Doubts about South Africa’s participation in the Rugby Championship have raised the possibility that the Currie Cup will receive an even bigger Springbok injection.
The delay in returning to play in South Africa continues to raise questions about the Boks’ participation in the SANZAAR competition, and reports from New Zealand and Australia also cast doubt on the viability of the tournament this year.
Franchise coaches say players need at least four weeks of contact work before they can play, which means that a local competition cannot start before the weekend of September 25-26.
England star Courtney Lawes spoke to RugbyPass this week, opening up about many of the pressing issues circulating in the rugby world.
If the Springboks were to compete in the Championship from November 7 to December 12, which will likely host New Zealand, they would have to leave South Africa before October 18.
Assuming the national games take place every weekend in South Africa, the potential Springboks would have played just four games before the travel deadline.
South Africa’s four Super Rugby teams, the Bulls, Lions, Sharks and Stormers, will reportedly join the European Pro14 competition early next year.
– RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) August 29, 2020
Referring to the Championship recently, new Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber said that “unless we can play six domestic games, I don’t think we will go [to New Zealand]. “
New Zealand Rugby had hoped to host the opening match of the Bledisloe Cup in Wellington on October 10, but the new COVID-19 outbreak in New Zealand earlier this month has created uncertainty about the feasibility of that happening.
It means more delays and uncertainty about the Rugby Championship.
Bulls Rugby Director Jake White, in his weekly ‘No Holds Barred’ interview series about the Bulls’ social media apps, hinted that the Boks might not be involved in the Rugby Championship.
He has asked what his plans are for player rotation and injury coverage and said he will review the schedule and make evaluations before deciding on a strategy.
“There was a feeling that the Springboks were going to play [in the Rugby Championship] abroad, “White said.
“That has not been confirmed either.
“Could it be that [players like] Duane Vermeulen and Trevor Nyakane could be available throughout the Currie Cup season.
“If that’s the case, it has an impact on how you rotate players.”
Another topic of discussion on the Bulls mobile app was White’s preferred defense method in an era where defense against rush or the press has become popular.
He reminded onlookers that in 2004 his Springbok team began the ‘fast’ defense, coming off the line quickly and closing in on the opposition from the outside.
“It’s something that we’re familiar with in South Africa and it’s something that players are comfortable with,” White said, adding: “Of course we will use it, but I’m not sure we use it all the time.
“What has changed enormously in recent years is the defense patterns.”
He added that with his experience of having trained in Australia, France and Japan, he has the experience of a variety of attacking strategies.
“I’m looking at a combination of what the Bulls are strong at, what the Bulls are strong at, what the Australian, Japanese and French teams are good at.
“There will be a change in the way we play, but we will never forget that the Bulls have DNA that is important to them as well.”
– Rugby 365
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