The Springboks-All Blacks rivalry transcends the Rugby Championship
South Africa’s involvement with New Zealand and Australia long predates the existence of the Rugby Championship and whatever the future holds, the on-field battles between the Springboks, All Blacks and Wallabies will still hold pride of place in the rugby calendar.
There’s been an understandable outcry at rumours that South Africa could be set for a shock shift north to join the Six Nations as early as 2026, once their current broadcast arrangement comes to an end.
Although the Six Nations have publicly rejected the rumours, it’s impossible to rule out a shake-up of rugby’s premier annual international competition in the future.
While South Africa is geographically more than a few stone’s throws away from Europe, the time zones are better matched than with the likes of Australia and New Zealand and the bulk of the Springboks now play their club rugby in Europe, whether it’s for South African sides in the United Rugby Championship or for other teams in England, Ireland and France.
As such, it would make sense on many levels for the South African Rugby Union to fully commit to the north, instead of splitting their club and international rugby across the two hemispheres.
How that would work for the Six Nations is anyone’s guess.
While Italy has shown little improvement since their addition to the competition at the turn of the millennium, evicting the Azzurri from the tournament would represent a serious step backwards in the development of rugby outside of the traditional nations and only further the belief that the sport is only willing to open its doors to new competitors when the dollar symbols align.
The alternative model would simply see the Springboks added alongside the current Six Nations sides, increasing the competition’s length from five rounds to six and seven weeks to eight, including two ‘break’ weekends.
Whatever the case for the north, the permutations for the south are much more complex.
If the SARU were to break away, Australia, New Zealand and Argentina would have little choice but to welcome the likes of Japan and Fiji into a new Rugby Championship – something which many people believe is already long overdue.
At present, Australia and Argentina are barely a match for NZ, let alone Japan or any of the Pacific Island nations, but there’s hope that increased regular competition could help the developing nations catch up with their more established rivals. The introductions of Fijian Drua and Moana Pasifika to Super Rugby should also bear fruit, although that might not be until five years down the track.
Looking at it holistically, however, how big an impact would the Springboks’ shift to the Six Nations have on the annual calendar of a side like the All Blacks?
In a normal year where matches and schedules weren’t dictated by Covid – as many are hoping for in the 2022 test season – New Zealand would play 14 fixtures: six in the Rugby Championship, three in July and four in November. Just two of those games each year are against the Springboks.
In a scenario where the Springboks left the Rugby Championship, the All Blacks would still expect to take on their South African rivals at least once every season. If the Nations Championship concept comes to pass, an additional match or two would likely take place each year and if it doesn’t, two or three-game tours would be on the calendar once every World Cup cycle.
In short, the average number of games between the All Blacks and Springboks would remain relatively constant.
The rivalry between NZ and South Africa kicked off in 1921 at Carisbrook in Dunedin and it has arguably developed into the fiercest in world rugby, with no love lost on the pitch but plenty of respect built off it.
Said rivalry was in full flight well before the advent of the Tri-Nations in 1996 – despite the fact that the clashes weren’t always annual events. Test series between the All Blacks and Springboks were often separated by half a decade or more and the lack of regular fixtures didn’t harm the competition in any way, shape or form. As such, even if the Springboks were to head north and even if the number of games between them and the All Blacks were to fall, the rivalry would never lose its lustre.
South Africa’s potentially inevitable realignment in the game could be the one major shake-up that actually opens up greater fluidity between the tier-one nations and every other side in the world. Little real assistance was given to Japan to boost their standing but as soon as they found their feet and knocked off a few of the traditional teams at the World Cup, every man and their dog was lining up to play matches in the Land of the Rising Sun and supposedly both the Six Nations and the Rugby Championship were interested in bring the Brave Blossoms into their respective tournaments.
If the Springboks defect, NZ and Australia would be forced to build a premier international product with teams that have been tapping on the window for a while but never really managed to get their foot in the door and it could be the best thing for the long-term growth of the game.
Developing sides would join the top table while precious games between the All Blacks and the Springboks wouldn’t be lost to the nether, they’d simply be elevated to the almost mythic standing they once had on the world calendar.
Comments on RugbyPass
100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
1 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
1 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
7 Go to commentsNasser and kaitu are options for hooker. Especially Nasser. You forgot Rodda who touch wood will be fit at test time and if fit he’s number one. Great partner for the great Skelton and Oz best lineout caller. Third best lock is LSL whom I’d be inclined to sub on for Skelton around 60 minutes. Probably start valetini at 8 because I like a big body back there. Cale should play 6 at the brumbies. For Wallabies definitely cale in the squad but as an apprentice. Dunno who starts at 6 seru wright Swinton hanigan with Will Harris and Harry Wilson not far away. Seru and Swinton my front runners but Swinton is going. Still if we don’t cap seru then Fiji must coz they need his lineout skills and easily compensate for his lack of weight
7 Go to commentsYeah but who was it?
8 Go to commentsThink you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
7 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
12 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
7 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
8 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
8 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
12 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
12 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
7 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
8 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
12 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
12 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
7 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
7 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
12 Go to comments