ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Rugby Championship in doubt as Springboks won't go if not fit enough

BY Grant Constable  ·  Tuesday Jul 28, 2020

New Springboks coach Jacques Nienaber has indicated they are doubtful starters for this year’s Rugby Championship, casting a cloud over the SANZAAR tournament.

ADVERTISEMENT

Nienaber, who replaced Rassie Erasmus after last year’s World Cup triumph in Japan, fears his players won’t be physically ready for the four-nations event which is provisionally scheduled to be played entirely in New Zealand from November 7 to December 12.

World Rugby confirmed its backing for the new “emergency” international window, pushed back three months because of COVID-19.

However, Nienaber noted the vast discrepancy in readiness for his players compared to those in Australasia.

While Wallabies and All Blacks players will have had a steady diet of Super Rugby matches to have their players in shape, their Springboks and Argentina counterparts have been starved of high-level competition.

The impact of the pandemic in both South Africa and Argentina has left both nations unable to begin domestic competitions.

Nienaber wants the South African Currie Cup to have begun by the end of August or would be reluctant to risk the welfare of Springboks on the Test stage.

ADVERTISEMENT

“We have a responsibility to ensure that the players have received sufficient conditioning so that they can play rugby,” he told Rapport newspaper.

“If we can’t play six games, then I don’t think we will go. The player well-being risk would just be too great.”

Nienaber wants to take a large 45-man squad to New Zealand given the quarantine requirements if additional players need to be flown in later.

NZ Rugby chief executive Mark Robinson has said he would investigate the possibility of players from South Africa and Argentina arriving several weeks out from the Rugby Championship and playing warm-up matches on Kiwi soil.

ADVERTISEMENT

Nienaber said the commitment of his players to spend at least two months away from family in coronavirus-hit South Africa would be a difficult call for each of them to make.

“That raises all sorts of extra anxieties, never mind the massively challenging rugby aspects involved,” he said.

“You can only imagine the predicament facing guys if a close relative, for example, is suddenly badly affected by the virus back home. Can you fly back? Do you fly back?

“What happens if you then hope to return to the tournament, meaning fresh quarantining requirements?”

RELATED VIEWING:

Video Spacer

Related Articles

  • 30 WEEKS AGO

    Scotland international signs for Welsh BKT...

  • 30 WEEKS AGO

    Former Edinburgh coach Cockerill blasts Scottish...

  • 31 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: Bielle-Biarrey & Penaud stunning long-range...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Fans in awe as Joyce finishes ‘impossible’ solo try

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: Outlandish Jacob Stockdale finish is truly world class

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Ulster denied THE GREATEST URC try you will ever see!

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Capuozzo break sets Dupont up for hatrick on return

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Fans praise 'Dom Perignon Rugby' as Irish players prepare for final match of South African tour

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 11 HOURS AGO

    Wallabies wunderkind Sua'ali' and Scotland captain Tuipulotu clash

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Ireland 'steal' Argentina's opening try as debate rages

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: The biggest hit from week one of the Autumn Nations Series

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    'Cheap shot' from Leicester Tigers vs Northampton Saints causing a stir online

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Wild moment leads to all in brawl during Welsh derby between Cardiff and Scarlets

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Fans in awe as Joyce finishes ‘impossible’ solo try

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Insane moment as french backrow waves off medic and smokes Ange Capuozzo

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible drop goal helps break 25-match losing streak

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Leinster fly half delivers insane 50:22 after being given start for Emerging Ireland

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    French scrumhalf drills perfect shot at goal under outrageous circumstances

View All

Funnies

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    “Put that in the book” - Rieko Ioane’s explosive post reignites feud with Sexton

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Mischievous Marcus Smith spotted engaging in the dark arts during All Blacks match

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Jonny Sexton: 'Fondest memory of the Heineken Cup in 2011?' - 'Gordon D'Arcy's bar' and 'Coppers'

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Watch: Mike Haley's post match interaction with RG Snyman leaves no doubt about where Munster players stand

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    The rugby guy and Mack Hansen drop an all time BANGER with latest video

View All

Amateur

  • 98 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 98 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 121 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 121 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 121 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    'Eligible for England' - Fans react to South African star's contract announcement

  • 6 DAYS AGO

    The 19-year-old named the 'future' of English rugby after win against Australia A

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Anthony Watson exclusive: 'I wouldn't be surprised if England win'

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    It’s a 9.5/10 for Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    “Put that in the book” - Rieko Ioane’s explosive post reignites feud with Sexton

View All