Springboks in shock pullout?

THE prestigious Rugby Championship faces a massive blow this week amid mounting speculation world champions South Africa may pull out of the tournament.

The Springboks admit there are ‘several hurdles’ they need to overcome before confirming they can take part, even though fixtures are pencilled in.

The bombshell news comes as Argentina’s players have already arrived in Australia to begin their preparations for the competition, while the Wallabies and New Zealand locked horns at the weekend in a thrilling Bledisloe Cup clash.

The seven-week tournament is due to start this month, but the fixtures will need to be ripped up if the Springboks withdraw.

One of the concerns, it is reported from down under, is that rugby in South Africa has only just returned, while their big rivals already have significant game time behind them.

New Zealand and Australia have already completed domestic Super Rugby competitions and played out their own Test at the weekend.

It is suggested that would put South Africa at a big disadvantage.

They have not played a game since beating England to win the World Cup last year.

“The Springboks’ ability to participate in the Rugby Championship will be finalised early next week,” read a South Africa Rugby statement.

“The team is due to defend its title in Australia between November 7 and December 12, but several hurdles needed to be cleared if it’s to be confirmed.”

Former Springbok World Cup-winning coach Jake White said: “I understand fully that it’s not the ideal preparation and, probably, if I was a coach I’d be asking SA Rugby to try to find ways in which we don’t participate because the situation is a bit unfair.”