South Africa expected to withdraw from this year's Rugby Championship
South Africa are expected to confirm their withdrawal from this year's Rugby Championship on Friday.
The New Zealand Herald reported on Thursday that the world champions would not be travelling to participate in the tournament, which is set to take place entirely in Australia.
The factors behind South Africa's withdrawal are believed to include player welfare, with the Springbok players based in South Africa only resuming competitive matches in recent weeks and lacking the required physical preparation. There also remains a degree of uncertainty regarding the South African government's Covid-19 travel restrictions.
Should defending champions South Africa withdraw as expected, it would mean that the world champions go into next summer's Test series against the British and Irish Lions potentially having played no Test matches at all since the Rugby World Cup final victory over England last November. Springbok players based in England would therefore be able to remain with their clubs for the start of the new Gallagher Premiership season.
"Speculation in the media that the Springboks were to be withdrawn from the Rugby Championship has been noted," read a statement from SA Rugby, before adding there would be "no comment on the reports until SANZAAR had updated all stakeholders through official channels, which was expect to be on Friday, October 16."
South Africa's withdrawal would see the Rugby Championship fixture list cut in half, with Australia, New Zealand and Argentina only taking part. Argentina have been quarantining for 14 days in Australia ahead of the start of the tournament, a quarantine period which South Africa would also be required to fulfil should they agree to join the competition. Argentina and South Africa were set to face each other in the opening game on November 7.
Australia play New Zealand in the second Bledisloe Cup fixture of 2020 this weekend, following their 16-16 draw in Wellington.
