Rugby Championship in Disarray as Springboks Retreat: What It Means for the All Blacks

South Africa has officially withdrawn from the Rugby Championship to cut the number of matches in the tournament by half.

Tournament organizer Sanzaar and Rugby Australia hosts are expected to confirm the withdrawal of world champions Springboks on Friday, reducing the competition for an event from 12 to six rounds and requiring the need for off weekends.

On Wednesday, Sanzaar gave South Africa Rugby an additional 48 hours to reach a final verdict on the Springboks’ involvement after final attempts were made for the Boks to arrive in Australia three weeks later than originally planned.

In the end, despite having three to five games before their tryouts in Australia, South Africa did not believe the Springboks had enough time to physically prepare for the tournament.

South Africa’s decision to withdraw entirely is expected to be attributed to concerns for the well-being of players and uncertainty surrounding government travel regulations amid the global Covid-19 pandemic, although this is believed to be last one has progressed positively.

The Springboks will now not travel to Australia to join the All Blacks, Wallabies and Pumas for the scheduled four-nation event to be held in Sydney and Brisbane from October 31 to December 5.

Without the Springboks, the All Blacks are scheduled to face the Wallabies in Sydney and Brisbane on October 31 and November 7 after Sunday’s Bledisloe Cup test at Eden Park.

After their Nov. 7 tryout against the Wallabies, the All Blacks can have a bye week, followed by two tryouts against the Pumas, before returning home for quarantine.

The well-being of the players is a genuine concern for South Africa with its national competition, Super Rugby Unlocked, which will only restart on October 10.

The Springboks, therefore, always felt significantly at a disadvantage compared to the competitive New Zealand and Australian domestic seasons and the Bledisloe trial preparation.

However, the Pumas are expected to be at the forefront of the trials after playing two Australian state teams in post-quarantine preparation matches.

South Africa is also believed to have encountered complications in pulling Europe’s top players out with the reappearance of the coronavirus and the cost of underwriting the club’s insurance increases the risk.

Ultimately, with the British and Irish Lions tour looming next year, the Springboks were wary of damaging their world champion lure by traveling to Australia undercooked.

The Springboks could now go 20 months, from their World Cup triumph in Tokyo last November to next July, without playing an international game.

From a financial perspective, South Africa is believed to be in a reasonable position, well supported by sponsors and broadcaster SuperSport, with the Lions windfall to try to safeguard.

It is not yet known how the Boks’ exit will affect the tournament results, but the significant reduction in matches is likely to see all four nations suffer financial blows.

All Blacks assistant coach John Plumtree suggested Wednesday that the Springboks would not travel to Australia for the start of the tournament.

“The disappointing thing was that they couldn’t make their Currie Cup go fast enough,” he said.

“The longer that was delayed, the more difficult it would always be for them to toughen up and prepare for the match. I guess that was one of the main contributing factors.”

“They are also the world champions. For them to come here, if they don’t feel they are ready, they are not going to risk that.”

“Hopefully we can see them, even if they don’t start. I don’t know what the decision will be on that, but they will want to play, it’s only when.”

Earlier reports from Australia suggested that the Boks could be replaced in the competition by a team of Barbarians, but the Herald understands that is unlikely at this stage.