Six Nations organisers make decision on Springboks’ proposed inclusion – report

Colin Newboult 04 Feb 2024 5:01 PM

The Springboks will NOT be joining the Six Nations, according to reports in the South African media.

It was reported back in 2022 that the Springboks were in talks to join the northern hemisphere’s annual international competition in 2025.

That was subsequently denied by Six Nations organisers, but speculation continued to be rife over whether the Boks would indeed make the switch.

Not an option

However, according to Rapport, the Boks moving from the Rugby Championship is ‘no longer on the table’ due to negotiations between CVC Capital Partners and SA Rugby stalling.

CVC have invested plenty of money in rugby over the past few years and struck a £365m deal with the Six Nations back in 2021.

They have also put £230m into Premiership Rugby and then paid £120m for a stake in what was then called the PRO14, which eventually became the United Rugby Championship after the South African franchises joined.

CVC has since sought to strike a deal with SA Rugby, but that has reached an impasse.

As a result, the Springboks’ medium-term future is very much with the Rugby Championship at international level.

“There have been discussions for the Boks to play in the Six Nations, but that’s not going to happen anymore – or at least not before 2030 or even after,” a source told Rapport.

SA Rugby have now switched their attentions to Ackerley Partners – who acquired a minority share in football side Leeds United recently – and are reportedly in advanced talks with the American company, but a deal has yet to be agreed.

Aligning the schedule

The idea of the Springboks joining the Six Nations has divided opinion, but some of the players were very much in favour of it.

It would certainly make sense for the South Africans after they aligned their domestic schedule with the northern hemisphere, which is why double Rugby World Cup winner Eben Etzebeth supported the potential move.

“I think it would be great being a part of that (the Six Nations),” Etzebeth said in December 2022. “It would mean the schedules will be a bit more aligned.

“I never want to move away from playing the All Blacks, Wallabies and Argentina, so as long as there’s still space to also play those matches.

“So if we can keep those rivalries aligned it would be great for us, for rugby, and it would align the schedule for the best interests of the players.

“I don’t know where the game will go in the future, or where we will play in the future, but being part of the European schedule and the Champions Cup just makes sense.”

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