South Africa withdraws from Rugby Championship citing Coronavirus travel restrictions and player safety concerns

October 16, 2020

World champions South Africa will not compete in the upcoming 2020 Rugby Championship title after governing body SANZAAR announced the Springboks were withdrawing from this year's competition.

SANZAAR cited a series of factors for the decision, including travel restrictions, player welfare and lack of time for preparation – the Springboks last match having been the Rugby World Cup final almost 12 months ago.

Announcing South Africa’s withdrawal, SANZAAR Chief Executive Andy Marinos advised in a statement "naturally, it is extremely disappointing that the Springboks, due to the continued complexities of operating in and around this COVID environment, cannot fully compete in the previously planned six-round Rugby Championship.

"SANZAAR recognises the challenges and adversity that the national unions have had to face this year due to the pandemic.

"It is a tribute to the unions in how they have been able to adapt and, dependent on COVID restrictions, run domestic competitions with the exception of Argentina who has been impacted the hardest through their lockdown.

"These short domestic tournaments, and in Argentina's case no domestic competition, are not the normal lead into an international playing window, and while it has been a far from ideal preparation we look forward to an exciting and vibrant Tri-Nations tournament."

South African Rugby Chief Executive Jurie Roux acknowledged that the other rugby bodies including Rugby Australia had "bent over backwards" to help them and that it would have been unfair to delay a decision any longer, noting “this is a hugely disappointing outcome for supporters and commercial partners but the ongoing impacts of the pandemic in multiple dispensations mean we are unable to deliver a Springbok team without seriously compromising player welfare, apart from other logistical challenges.”

The Springboks withdrawal 15 days before the scheduled start of the Rugby Championship means that the tournament will feature three-teams: Australia, New Zealand and Argentina.

The annual Test tournament was already delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic and is being staged in one country for the first time.

Its revised ormat will see six international matches played in Australia across six consecutive weekends with matches to be played in Sydney, Newcastle and Brisbane.

The first two matches involving Australia and New Zealand will double up as the final two Bledisloe Cup series matches.

Last year the Springboks won the Rugby Championship for the fourth time, finishing with two wins and a draw in a shortened competition due to the Rugby World Cup.

Tri-Nations Match Schedule 2020

31st October: Australia v New Zealand (ANZ Stadium, Sydney)
7th November: Australia v New Zealand (Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane)
14th November: New Zealand v Argentina (Bankwest Stadium, Sydney)
21st November: Argentina v Australia (McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle)
28th November: Argentina v New Zealand (McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle)
5th December: Australia v Argentina (Bankwest Stadium, Sydney)

2nd October 2020 - Super Rugby Aotearoa competition to return in 2021

30th September 2020 - South African teams to exit Super Rugby to play in Europe

28th September 2020 - Rugby Australia agrees interim players pay deal

24th September 2020 - Queensland Government commits $25 million for 10,000-seat stadium at Rockhampton’s home of rugby league

23rd September 2020 - Qantas ends 30-year Rugby Australia sponsorship deal

12th September 2020 - New Zealand to host two Bledisloe Cup Tests ahead of Australian-based Rugby Championship

11th September 2020 - Australia to replace New Zealand as host of 2020 Rugby Championship tournament

11th September 2020 - ACT Government to double GIO Stadium capacity limit for Super Rugby AU Final

31st August 2020 - Rugby Australia restructure looks to achieve $15 million in savings

20th August 2020 - New Zealand Rugby looks to stage full series of Tests in coming months

17th August 2020 - Super Rugby Aotearoa competition ends with Eden Park fixture cancellation

5th August 2020 - Phil Kearns appointed Executive Director of Australia’s Rugby World Cup 2027 bid

30th June 2020 - World Rugby cancels remainder of Sevens season

16th June 2020 - Rugby Australia forms advisory board to oversee 2027 World Cup hosting bid

11th August 2020 - Report suggests NSW Government looking to develop ‘five more Bankwests’

6th November 2019 - Suncorp Stadium’s contactless tickets a hit with fans

1st October 2020 - Global sports survey shows impact of COVID-19 pandemic

1st May 2020 - Coronavirus has multi-billion dollar negative impact on global sport

23rd September 2020 - COVID-19 travel restrictions impacting Australian elite sport

Asking a small favour
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

The news we publish at www.ausleisure.com.au is independent, credible (we hope) and free for you to access, with no pay walls and no annoying pop-up ads.

However, as an independent publisher, can we ask for you to support us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine - if you don't already do so.

Published bi-monthly since 1997, the printed Australasian Leisure Management differs from this website in that it publishes longer, in-depth and analytical features covering aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues management.

Subscriptions cost just $90 a year.

Click here to subscribe.