South African Rugby (SAR) says a final decision on its participation in the Rugby Championship will only be communicated on Friday, as a report in New Zealand suggested it had already given notice of its intention to withdraw from this year’s competition.
An SAR statement on Thursday did not deny the veracity of the report, instead suggesting the decision would be communicated by organisers Sanzaar on Friday.
“An SA Rugby spokesperson said that speculation in the media that the Springboks were to be withdrawn from the Rugby Championship have been noted,” the statement read.
“However, it would make no comment on the reports until Sanzaar had updated all stakeholders through official channels, which was expect to be on Friday October 16.”
Should the Springboks’ withdrawal be confirmed‚ the fixtures will be rejigged and it could mean the Boks go through 2020 without playing a Test match.
On Tuesday‚ Sanzaar announced that SA Rugby had been given a 48-hour extension to make a decision regarding its participation in the tournament.
The New Zealand Herald has suggested the decision has already been made and that the competition will now feature only Australia, New Zealand and Argentina, a financial blow to all four countries.
The Springboks have cited player welfare and the need for government approval as sticking points in taking part in the competition.
Should their withdrawal be confirmed, they face going into July’s British & Irish Lions series on home soil having played few or no Tests since their victory in the 2019 Rugby World Cup (RWC) final against England in November.
SA’s long and hard Covid-19 lockdown meant the country’s leading players were sidelined from competitive action between mid-March and the start of the domestic season this past weekend.
Team officials have suggested they will need at least 500 minutes of competitive rugby before they can take part in the Rugby Championship, with all but their overseas-based players well short of this.
It was hoped a compromise by Sanzaar to allow the Boks to enter the competition at the halfway point, giving players greater preparation time, might ease those concerns.
If the Boks do participate, then the need to quarantine in host country Australia for 14 days before their scheduled opener against Argentina in November 7 means they are in a race against time to board the plane.
