The South African national rugby side was rumoured to be joining the Northern Hemisphere and competing in the Six Nations instead of the Rugby Championships. Nothing was confirmed or set in stone but this seemed to be something that the Springboks were very much interested in. Instead they might have to settle for what they currently have as the offer to join seems to be impossible after the news of the Grand Final plans were released.
South Africa currently plays the Southern Hemisphere, and these include New Zealand, Argentina, and Australia. These are all elite nations but it seems that the Springbok rugby director believed that South Africa will be in a better situation in the Northern Hemisphere. The Six Nations consist of England, Wales, France, Ireland, Italy, and Scotland.
The Springbok rugby director believes that not only will South Africa thrive in this setting, but it will also be viable because of the timezones. Rassie Erasmus went on to mention the difficulties of adjusting to the timezones in a short space of time.
Grand Finals
The traditional summer tours of two or three Tests against one host country will come to an end as northern hemisphere teams will face three southern opponents away from home in the July window.
- The traditional summer tours of two or three Tests against one host country will come to an end as northern hemisphere teams will face three southern opponents away from home in the July window.
- The schedule will be reproduced at the northern hemisphere countries’ home stadiums in the November window, with the top team from each pool playing the other in a grand final and the other teams competing in ranking play-off matches.
- Starting in 2026, the tournament will be conducted every two years, with the schedule being changed so that each team plays the other twice over the two-event cycle.
It has been rumoured that this new tournament style is looking to be unveiled at the World Cup in France.
In the meantime South Africa is faced with the challenge of defending their throne in the 2023 World Cup. So much could still happen before the grand stage arrives. The factors could vary from injuries to fatigue. The Springbok captain believed that the game has innovated and in order for the Springboks to stand a chance, they will need to display a way better game than what they displayed 4 years ago.
Footage of the Springboks hard at work has been shown, and it seems that by the time the World Cup comes around, they will be more than ready.
