rugby championship

South African’s players clebrate after winning the Rugby Championship at the end of a match between Argentina and South Africa in Salta, Argentina, on August 10, 2019. – South Africa thrashed Argentina 46-13 in Salta Saturday to win the Rugby Championship for the first time. (Photo by Juan GASPARINI / AFP)

Rugby Championship: Boks participation to be decided next week

SA Rugby has issued out an important update regarding the Springboks participation in the 2020 Rugby Championship, to be held in Australia.

rugby championship

South African’s players clebrate after winning the Rugby Championship at the end of a match between Argentina and South Africa in Salta, Argentina, on August 10, 2019. – South Africa thrashed Argentina 46-13 in Salta Saturday to win the Rugby Championship for the first time. (Photo by Juan GASPARINI / AFP)

SA Rugby says it will consult government before making a decision on whether or not the Springboks will participate in the 2020 edition of the Rugby Championship.

South Africa are the reigning champions in the southern hemisphere’s premier international competition, but their ability to defend their title still remains in doubt. This is despite Sanzaar’s plans to hold the tournament this year, with all matches held in Australia.

SA Rugby to consult government

The prospect of travelling abroad has presented SA Rugby with a unique challenge brought on by lockdown restrictions which, until recently, included a strict ban on international travel.

SA Rugby says it will approach the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture as well as the Department of Transport to seek clarity on how the existing regulations will impact the Springboks’ participation.

“A final decision was only likely to be finalised early next week once those clarifications had been assessed internally and with SA Rugby’s Sanzaar partners.”

SA Rugby

Meanwhile, Sanzaar has released a revised Rugby Championship fixtures list ahead of the tournament.

Should South Africa participate, they will kick off their title defence against Argentina at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.

Revised Rugby Championship 2020 fixtures

Matchday One – Saturday, 31 October

ANZ Stadium, Sydney

Australia vs New Zealand

Matchday Two – Saturday, 7 November

Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Argentina vs South Africa

Australia vs New Zealand

Matchday Three – Saturday, 14 November

Bankwest Stadium, Sydney

New Zealand vs Argentina

South Africa vs Australia

Matchday Four – Saturday, 21 November

ANZ Stadium, Sydney

New Zealand vs South Africa

Australia vs Argentina

Matchday Five – Saturday, 28 November

McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle

Argentina vs Australia

South Africa vs New Zealand

Matchday Six – Saturday, 5 December

Bankwest Stadium, Sydney

Argentina vs New Zealand

Australia vs South Africa

Matchday Seven – Saturday, 12 December

McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle

South Africa vs Argentina