Organisers make decision on Springboks

THE Springboks will not be joining the Six Nations, according to reports in the South African media.

It was reported back in 2022 that the Springboks were in talks to join the northern hemisphere’s annual international competition in 2025.

That was subsequently denied by Six Nations organisers, but speculation continued to be rife over whether the Boks would indeed make the switch.

However, according to Rapport, the Boks moving from the Rugby Championship is ‘no longer on the table’ due to negotiations between CVC Capital Partners and SA Rugby stalling.

CVC have invested plenty of money in rugby over the past few years and struck a £365m ($F1.35b) deal with the Six Nations back in 2021.

They have also put £230m ($F652m) into Premiership Rugby and then paid £120m ($F340m) for a stake in what was then called the PRO14, which eventually became the United Rugby Championship after the South African franchises joined.

CVC has since sought to strike a deal with SA Rugby, but that has reached an impasse.

As a result, the Springboks’ medium-term future is very much with the Rugby Championship at international level.

“There have been discussions for the Boks to play in the Six Nations, but that’s not going to happen anymore – or at least not before 2030 or even after,” a source told Rapport.

SA Rugby have now switched their attentions to Ackerley Partners – who acquired a minority share in football side Leeds United recently – and are reportedly in advanced talks with the American company, but a deal has yet to be agreed.

The idea of the Springboks joining the Six Nations has divided opinion, but some of the players were very much in favour of it.