1
South Africa left out in the cold for developing 2020 mid-year schedule
International rugby will go through the smallest of changes in 2020 with the mid-year Test window relocating from June to July.
ADVERTISEMENT
The fixtures themselves are slowly being released, with Americas Rugby News now reporting that Argentina will likely host France and Italy next year.
This latest development could spell bad news for South Africa, with the top four European sides all having fairly packed schedules, if all the rumours are true.
New Zealand Rugby confirmed earlier this year that the All Blacks will host Wales (twice) and Scotland next season.
Australia are expected to unveil their own schedule shortly, which should see the Wallabies play Ireland (twice) and Fiji.
Continue reading below…
England’s official travel agents have promoted a two-match series between England and the current World Cup hosts, Japan.
Factor in the latest news from ARN, which suggests that France will play two games in Argentina then return home via Japan, and suddenly South Africa’s opposition cupboard is looking incredibly bare.
ADVERTISEMENT
Of the Six Nations teams, all six already have matches lined up (confirmed or rumoured) for July. There are a few gaps in the calendar, of course; Ireland, Wales and England will all likely play an extra match.
In anticipation of facing the same opposition in the same match that secured them the 2007 World Cup title this weekend, we look at where the Springboks stars of 12 years ago are today. #RWC2019 https://t.co/Ir3b2VsCOB
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 29, 2019
It would be unusual for any of those sides to travel all the way to South Africa for just one game, however, after already spending two weeks in Australia, New Zealand and Japan, respectively.
Scotland or Italy could be South Africa’s saving grace – they both still have two spots left in their schedule – but it would be a major blow to the World Cup finalists to not host one of the big four Northern Hemisphere sides.
It should also be concerning for Springboks fans that England have confirmed 2020 end-of-year matches against New Zealand, Australia and Argentina – which means that there won’t be a World Cup final rematch next season.
ADVERTISEMENT
https://www.instagram.com/p/B4Ltfd4g7JN/
The current holes in the calendar could point to a number of games between tier one and tier two teams, which will come as a great relief to many fans around the world.
There’s been plenty of discussion regarding how the likes of Japan and Fiji can be better integrated into the current Test calendar and it looks like 2020 will kick off with at least a few inter-tier fixtures.
At this stage, at least, it looks like South Africa could be the nation that loses out the most thanks to the changing programme.
Speaking of rumours, it sounds like Dave Rennie coaching the Wallabies from 2020 is a done deal:
Comments on RugbyPass
It was a let’s-see-what-you're-made-of type of a game. The Bulls do look good when the opposition allows them to, but Munster shut them down, and they could not find a way through. Jake should be very worried about their chances in the competition.
2 Go to commentsHats off to Fabian for a very impressive journey to date. Is it as ‘uniquely unlikely’ as Rugby Pass suggests, given Anton Segner’s journey at the Blues?
1 Go to commentsSad that this was not confirmed. When administrators talk about expanding the game they evidently don’t include pathways to the top tier of rugby for teams outside of the old boys club. Rugby deserves better, and certainly Georgia does.
1 Go to commentsLions might take him on if they move on Van Rooyen but I doubt he will want to go back, might consider it a step backwards for himself. Sharks would take him on but if Plumtree goes on to win the challenge cup they will keep him on. Also sharks showing some promising signs recently. Stormers and Bulls are stable and Springboks are already filled up. Quality coach though, interesting to see where he ends up
1 Go to commentsAnd the person responsible for creating a culture of accountability is?
2 Go to commentsMore useless words from Ben Smith -Please get another team to write about. SA really dont need your input, it suck anyway.
264 Go to commentsThis disgraceful episode must result in management and coach team sackings. A new manager with worse results than previous and the coaching staff need to coached. Awful massacre led by donkeys.
1 Go to commentsInteresting article with one glaring mistake. This sentence: “And between the top four nations right now, Ireland, France, South Africa, and New Zealand…” should read: And between the top four nations right now, South Africa, Ireland, New Zealand and France…”. Get it right wistful thinkers, its not that hard.
23 Go to commentsHow did Penny get the gig anyway?
2 Go to commentsNice write up Nick and I would have agreed a week ago. However as you would know Cale & co got absolutely monstered by the Blues back row of Sotutu, Ioane and Papaliti and not all of these 3 are guaranteed a start in the Black jumper. He may need to put some kgs before stepping up, Spring tour? After the week end Joe will be a bit more restless. Will need to pick a mobile tough pack for Wales and hope England does the right thing and bashes the ABs. I like your last paragraph but I would bring Swinton, Hannigan into the 6 role and Bobby V to 8
21 Go to commentsThe Crusaders can still get in to the Play Off’s. The imminent return of outstanding captain Scott Barrett and his All Black team mate Codie Taylor will be a big boost.There are others like Tamaiti Williams too. Two home games coming up. Fellow Crusader fans get there and support these guys. I will be.
1 Go to commentsCant get more Wellington than Proctor.
2 Go to commentsWhy not let the media decide. Like how they choose the head coach. Like most of us we entrust the rugby system to choose. A rugby team includes the coaches. It's collective.
13 Go to commentsHi NIck, I have been very impressed with him and he seems a smart player who can see opportunities which Bobby V _(who must be an international 6_) doesn’t see or have the speed to take advantage of. If he continues to improve and puts on 5kgs then he could be a great 8. He is a bit taller than Keiran Reid at 1.93m and 111 kgs, so his skill set fits his body size and who knows where it will lead. I hope the spate of Achilles tendon issues have been dealt with by the S&C people. It’s been a very long time since Mark Loane and Kefu stood out at 8. The question is will we be able to hold onto him, if he does make it he will be pretty hot property. I disagree with the idea of letting them go to the Northern Hemisphere and then bring them back.
21 Go to commentsBilly Fulton 🤣🤣🤣🤣 garrrmon not even close
13 Go to commentsDoes the AI take into account refs? hahaha Seriously why not have two on field refs to avoid bias?
23 Go to commentsVern challenging this Blues side might be the edge they need to fulfill their potential. Convincing results from strong D and strong carries are hard to argue against.
1 Go to commentsLove seems to add a strong back field defense with speed to close the gap and tackle to his ability to attack, kick and pass (an accurate long pass). This sets him an edge over some of the other names - JRK in particular. Has to be said that Jordan and Stevenson have also been exposed defensively while Love has yet to face test match intensity. Spoilt for choice.
1 Go to commentsHe’s strung together a few strong seasons, I’d like to see him in the ABs and build some depth along with Reiko and ALB. Levi Aumua hasn’t taken the step we hoped to see but time yet.
2 Go to commentsWhere has our good friend Pecos gone!? Similar place to the Crusaders D, the abyss.
4 Go to comments