The Junior Springboks arrived in Italy on Tuesday evening and immediately went about their business to fine-tune their preparations for Friday’s opening match of the U20 Six Nations Summer Series against England in Verona.
Stuart Barnes has criticised South Africa’s involvement in next season’s European Champions Cup, warning against the Springboks joining the Six Nations.
Jean de Villiers and Jim Hamilton both concede it is inevitable that the Springboks will join the Six Nations, but raise concerns over the impact the move could have on the Test calendar and future British & Irish Lions tours.
Damian de Allende says he hopes the Springboks don’t move away from the unique challenge of playing in the Rugby Championship anytime soon amid links of a switch to the Six Nations.
Pieter-Steph du Toit has given his opinion on speculation that the Springboks could leave the Rugby Championship to join the Six Nations in the near future.
The Springboks’ No 1 spot in the world is under threat from France, after Les Bleus replaced the All Blacks in second place behind South Africa in World Rugby’s official standings.
The Springboks playing in the Six Nations would all but kill off any hopes that the Celtic nations have of winning the competition.
Sanzaar has announced that the Springboks will continue playing in the Rugby Championship until 2025, amid reports of a revival of the World Nations Championship concept.
Six Nations chief executive Ben Morel has insisted there are no plans to add South Africa to the tournament, as the Springboks remain committed to the Rugby Championship.
Ireland got their Six Nations campaign back on track as they scored six tries to demolish Italy 48-10 in Rome on Saturday. DYLAN JACK reports. (more…)