The Springboks will not take part in the Six Nations, according to reports in South African media.
It was reported in 2022 that the Springboks were in talks to take part in the annual international competition in the northern hemisphere in 2025.
This was subsequently denied by Six Nations organizers, but speculation continued to swirl as to whether the Boks would indeed make the move.
not an option
However, according to rapportthe Boks moving out of the Rugby Championship is “no longer on the table” as negotiations between CVC Capital Partners and SA Rugby stall.
CVC have invested heavily in rugby in recent years, signing a £365m deal with the Six Nations in 2021.
They also spent £230m on Premiership Rugby, then £120m in stakes in what was then called the PRO14, and after the South African franchise joined, they eventually became United・It became the Rugby Championship.
CVC has since sought to sign a deal with SA Rugby, but has reached an impasse.
As a result, the Springboks' medium-term future rests heavily on the Rugby Championship at international level.
“There was talk of the Boks playing in the Six Nations, but that won't happen anymore, or at least not before 2030 or even after,” the source said. rapport.
SA Rugby has now turned its attention to Ackerley Partners, which recently acquired a minority stake in Leeds United soccer team, and is reportedly in talks with the American company, but no deal has been reached yet.
adjust the schedule
The idea of the Springboks taking part in the Six Nations is divisive, but some players were all for it.
It certainly makes sense for the South Africans, who have aligned their domestic schedule with the northern hemisphere, which is why two-time Rugby World Cup winner Eben Ezebeth has backed the potential move.
“I think it would be great to be part of that (Six Nations),” Etzebeth said in December 2022. “That means the schedule will be adjusted a little bit more.
“I don't want to step away from playing the All Blacks, the Wallabies and the Argentina national team, as long as there is space to play in those games as well.
“So if we can continue to adjust these rivalries, that would be great for us and great for rugby, and we would be adjusting our schedules to suit the best interests of our players.
“We don't know how the game will play out or where we will play in the future, but it makes sense for it to be part of the European schedule and the Champions Cup.”
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