Rugby: World Champions Springboks withdraw from 2020 Rugby Championship

Rugby: World Champions Springboks withdraw from 2020 Rugby Championship
Springboks

World Rugby Champions South Africa (called Springboks) have withdrawn from the Rugby Championship in Australia meaning the tournament will be contested by just three nations – Argentina, Australia and New Zealand. The organizer of the tournament SANZAAR which had given Springboks an additional duration of 48 hours to confirm their intentions announced the decision on Friday.

The reason cited by the Springboks is player welfare and health concerns because of the delayed start to its domestic competition and uncertainty over global travel restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic situation. South Africa’s provincial Curry Cup competition only began on the 10th of October because of the pandemic which has left the players with little game time before the Championship.

Rugby championship cut from 12 to 6 matches

The Springboks’ withdrawal from the championship means that the tournament will be cut from 12 to 6 matches. The tournament will still happen over a six-week period with each team getting byes as per the original schedule. This is likely to hit broadcasting revenue, which will be shared among the three teams that compete.

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The Argentine squad is already in Australia preparing for the tournament following a COVID-19 setback back in Argentina that led to at least 10 players and coaching staff testing positive for the virus.

The All Blacks (New Zealand) and Wallabies (Australia) will go head-to-head in the opening match of the tournament at Sydney on October 31 following on from their Bledisloe Cup series in New Zealand.

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