'Devastated': Former All Black on if the Springboks leave the Rugby Championship
Former All Black hooker James Parsons says he would be ‘devastated’ to see the Springboks leave the Rugby Championship in 2025, with rumours circulating that South Africa could attempt to join the Six Nations then.
Having just re-confirmed their commitment to the Rugby Championship until 2024, suggestions about a move for the Springboks to Europe after that remain a possibility.
The impact would be felt heavily in Southern Hemisphere rugby, with the fallout having severe consequences for the All Blacks and Wallabies. On this week’s Aotearoa Rugby Pod, the panel discussed the possibility of a future split happening.
“Personally, I hope not because of the history we have,” James Parsons said.
“The best example of it, in our chat about most feared opponent or players we enjoyed coming up against the most, they were all Springboks or South African Super Rugby players.
“I think that shows the level of admiration and respect we have for their brand of footy.
“I believe it is speculation at this stage. My hope is they remain in the Rugby Championship.”
Crusaders halfback Bryn Hall said the move would be a major problem for Southern Hemisphere, without the Springboks involved the remaining nations would find it hard to evolve and get better.
Hall conceded that based on recent results and the form of the European teams, the Six Nations is ‘the best rugby played’ anywhere on the globe at the moment.
“I think it would be a massive loss for us. The rivalry, the history throughout the years, it’s a massive game for us. They are our foe,” Hall said.
“If you look at the Six Nations at the moment, there are five teams that can win that competition.
“The level of consistency in that group, there is a high level about it every week. It’s a doozy of a game.
“If you lose the Springboks, unfortunately we are going to lose that ability to play a high tier match, at that intensity level. I think we need play them consistently, to evolve and get better.
“That’s probably where the best rugby is played at the moment, in the Six Nations. How they are playing at the moment, you look at the European tour last year, how successful they were against the Southern Hemisphere teams.
“It will be massively tough for us if we lose them. I hope it is just speculation.”
The reasons for South Africa’s interest in the move aren’t difficult to understand, with the timezone, travel and finances all attractive selling points.
“I suppose the timezone and travel suits, all those factors and I suppose money does play a part, of course,” Parsons said.
“It is a business these days. I just it hope it doesn’t happen, I don’t know if it is or it isn’t, or the reasons they are looking at it.
“I’ll be devastated.”
Should the Springboks leave, it would reduce the number of clashes against the All Blacks. They two teams could potentially schedule a one-off test each November on the All Blacks end of year tour, or South Africa could tour New Zealand in the June window.
“Glass half-full, it would open up the possibility of them touring in that June series and have the old-school three match test series,” Parsons suggested.
“There potentially might be the opportunity for us to go the other way, I don’t know.”
Although that remained an option the panel discussed with other Six Nations teams scheduling June tours, it would be difficult for the Springboks to tour that often.
With the challenges of the Northern Hemisphere club game, it would remain to be seen just what state the touring squad arrived in.
Comments on RugbyPass
The Harlequins team must be in minus figures. Did the reporter actually watch the game?
2 Go to commentsHow on earth did Walker escape a red card? Not dangerous? Dupont has his face in a mask earlier this season. Shocking decision. What is the point of TMOs? We had the Fassi ‘non-penalty try’ yesterday and now this.
2 Go to commentsCould have been a different result but yet again French tv able to affect the result by not showing the very clear high shot on harlequin centre if this would have been on a French player would have been on screen at least five times
2 Go to commentsAmazing. The losing team’s ratings are higher than the winning team’s. Mallia definitely didn’t deserve a y. What game were you watching? Should have got a w or an x. ADP hardly featured in that second half. At one point I wondered when he’d been subbed. Seems to me as if he gets an automatic 9 just for getting onto the team sheet.
2 Go to commentsI’m sorry. That second half was far from enthralling. It was painful to watch.
2 Go to commentsVery generous! If you’d missed the game, reading this you’d conclude that it was the Quins front row that cost them the game. Marler getting a blanket 6 for his demented contribution to the game. Puzzling.
2 Go to commentsCan’t see Toulouse beating Leinster at this rate.
7 Go to commentsADP was having a very average game until winning that penalty for Toulouse, sticking his big head in the way. “The head of God”?
7 Go to commentsHarlequins doing their best to do as little damage as possible with all the possession. Looks like they skipped catch and pass drills this week.
7 Go to commentsSeeing pictures of Jacques high-fiving it with Irish players breaks my heart. Too soon. I need more time.
1 Go to commentsquins is all over the place. The minute they get the ball they panic. Quins can still win tho just need to win all rucks otherwise just don't bother.
7 Go to commentsGreat wins for the male & female kiwi sides. Ireland not far away..
1 Go to commentsWhy is this dude getting so much coverage? Usually knobs like this get cancelled.
2 Go to commentsWow. What was that? A 3 million word meandering article about what exactly?
2 Go to commentsNice piece of writing. And yes the Sharks pulled a rabbit from the hat and were a little lucky with that penalty try that wasn’t given… however the Sharks (with their resources) should be way more consistent and should be putting teams like Claremont away for breakfast. I expect more from them and hope they kick on now.
8 Go to commentsJust what the Sharks needed to get things going in the right direction Defence on the outside really creates havoc for the whole team and needs to be addressed.
8 Go to commentsWell done guys both teams will be ready to play knockout rugby.
1 Go to commentsSurprised that Ramos isn't starting at 15. But what a squad of galacticos!
2 Go to commentsWhy is it a snub? What journalistic garbage is that? Sure the guy is a great player, but there are plenty of loose forwards and not all of them can be Springboks. Also, I know of no-one who doubts Rassie’s judgment. South Africa has a conveyor belt of loose forwards that just keeps producing, so the competition is intense. I certainly wish him well, but there is no entitlement and there is no snub.
17 Go to commentsSkelton may be brought back for the Wallabies so that would be the only reason that may hinder Wilson. Easily the form, most skilful and game IQ of any Oz 8. Valentini’s best and favourite position is 6, but lineouts may be an issue with Skelton, Valentini and Wilson. Will be interesting what Schmidt goes for but for me Wilson should be picked on form. Schmidt rewards work rate, skill and consistency. All that glitters every so often won’t be in contention. Greely is one of those players that has a knack of making the right decision. A coach is going to love him because he knows week in week out he’s going to get the job done. The second try Greely wasn’t the guy who made the initial break it was Flook, Greely was at the bottom of the ruck when Flook was off along the sideline. Greely got up and made the effort to catch up with play but also read the play nicely and hit the pass from Campbell at pace and then held the pass beautifully to Ryan.
6 Go to comments