Reports from New Zealand suggest the All Blacks could play a three-Test series against the Springboks if the Rugby Championship does not go ahead as planned.
The New Zealand Herald has reported that New Zealand Rugby is currently working on contingencies if the Rugby Championship is called off amid logistical difficulties.
Sanzaar officials are set to meet on Thursday and decide as to whether the Championship will proceed. If it does, a decision will be made over where it takes place on Friday.
World Rugby has allocated the Rugby Championship a Test window between 7 November and 12 December, with New Zealand indicated as Sanzaar’s favoured host nation as the country has kept their Covid-19 infection rate low over the past few months, allowing rugby to return in the form of Super Rugby Aotearoa. However, the latest rumours suggest that Australia could now be favourites to host the tournament as there has been another spike in Covid-19 cases in New Zealand.
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If it so happens that Sanzaar decides to call time on the 2020 Rugby Championship, New Zealand Rugby is looking into an exciting prospect of playing the Springboks in a three-Test series.
The series could take place at a later date than the 7 November starting date of the Rugby Championship, allowing South Africa enough time to get their players properly prepared, with the Currie Cup only likely to start in October.
Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber has already indicated that the Bok players would need at least five weeks of regular games behind them if they are to be competitive against the All Blacks, with the New Zealanders having already completed Super Rugby Aotearoa and heading into the Mitre 10 Cup.
The report goes on to state that the All Blacks could also play against Japan, who turned down the opportunity to take part in an ‘Eight Nations’ tournament with the Six Nations and Fiji in November.
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