If the Springboks do manage to get on a plane for Australia, then their opening match in the Castle Lager Rugby Championship will be against Argentina in Brisbane on November 7.
The jury is still out on whether the Boks will travel to Australia, because there are fears they might be under-cooked because of a lack of game time in domestic rugby.
SA Rugby CEO Jurie has said several hurdles needed to be cleared before Bok captain Siya Kolisi and his team could travel to Australia.
However, every effort will be made to get the Boks on the plane to Australia because the financial benefits of playing in the tournament will be huge for cash-strapped SA Rugby.
In recent poll, fans said SA Rugby should prioritise a full-strength Currie Cup rather than send a team to Australia.
Former Springbok captain Wynand Claassen believes SA should skip the 2020 Rugby Championship and focus on the 2021 British and Irish Lions tour.
Claassen says travelling to Australia to compete in the Rugby Championship would not be in the best interest of the Springboks, and that SA Rugby should take a stand and withdraw from the competition at least for 2020.
Though SA’s participation in the event has yet to be confirmed, Sanzaar has revealed the intended playing schedule for the 12-match, six-week tournament, which will take place in in Brisbane, Newcastle and Sydney between November 7 and December 12.
The Boks are scheduled to play back-to-back matches against New Zealand — with an away game in Sydney before “hosting” the same opponents in Newcastle — before the tournament returns to Sydney for the final two rounds.
SA’s participation remains conditional on the relaxation of the government’s current ban on international sporting participation, and the outcome of assessments of high performance and player welfare issues.
Sanzaar explained the incoming teams (Argentina, New Zealand and SA) would be required to observe all health regulations around their squads as imposed by the New South Wales (NSW) and Queensland governments.
The teams will be kept separate by operating within a “bubble” during this period with all teams operating in clean environments controlled by NSW police.
The wellness of the squads will be continually monitored in line with NSW Heath requirements.
Sanzaar CEO Andy Marinos said: “It has taken a lot of hard work to get to this point, but we are delighted that we can now confirm the match dates and venues for the Rugby Championship 2020.
“The Rugby Championship is one of the game’s showpiece events and includes some of the best rugby talent in the world.
“The six double-header Saturdays are a first for the tournament and will produce an exciting feast of rugby for spectators at the venues who will actually be getting two world-class international tests for the price of one entry ticket.
“Thanks to our committed family of broadcasters this action will also be delivered to the living rooms of our overseas rugby fans providing a rugby feast similar to what we experienced a year ago with the Rugby World Cup,” Marinos said.
Kickoff times for the double-header matches will be announced in due course.
The Castle Lager Rugby Championship 2020 fixtures
Round One — Saturday November 7
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Argentina v SA
Australia v New Zealand
Round Two — Saturday November 14
Bankwest Stadium, Sydney
New Zealand v Argentina
SA v Australia
Round Three — Saturday November 21
ANZ Stadium, Sydney
New Zealand v SA
Australia v Argentina
Round Four — Saturday November 28
McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Argentina v Australia
SA v New Zealand
Round Five — Saturday December 5
Bankwest Stadium, Sydney
Argentina v New Zealand
Australia v SA
Round Six — Saturday December 12
ANZ Stadium, Sydney
SA v Argentina
Australia v New Zealand
But some still believe SA should opt out of Rugby Championship
Boks set to face Argentina in opener
Rugby writer
Image: GORDON ARONS/GALLO IMAGES
If the Springboks do manage to get on a plane for Australia, then their opening match in the Castle Lager Rugby Championship will be against Argentina in Brisbane on November 7.
The jury is still out on whether the Boks will travel to Australia, because there are fears they might be under-cooked because of a lack of game time in domestic rugby.
SA Rugby CEO Jurie has said several hurdles needed to be cleared before Bok captain Siya Kolisi and his team could travel to Australia.
However, every effort will be made to get the Boks on the plane to Australia because the financial benefits of playing in the tournament will be huge for cash-strapped SA Rugby.
In recent poll, fans said SA Rugby should prioritise a full-strength Currie Cup rather than send a team to Australia.
Former Springbok captain Wynand Claassen believes SA should skip the 2020 Rugby Championship and focus on the 2021 British and Irish Lions tour.
Claassen says travelling to Australia to compete in the Rugby Championship would not be in the best interest of the Springboks, and that SA Rugby should take a stand and withdraw from the competition at least for 2020.
Though SA’s participation in the event has yet to be confirmed, Sanzaar has revealed the intended playing schedule for the 12-match, six-week tournament, which will take place in in Brisbane, Newcastle and Sydney between November 7 and December 12.
The Boks are scheduled to play back-to-back matches against New Zealand — with an away game in Sydney before “hosting” the same opponents in Newcastle — before the tournament returns to Sydney for the final two rounds.
SA’s participation remains conditional on the relaxation of the government’s current ban on international sporting participation, and the outcome of assessments of high performance and player welfare issues.
Sanzaar explained the incoming teams (Argentina, New Zealand and SA) would be required to observe all health regulations around their squads as imposed by the New South Wales (NSW) and Queensland governments.
The teams will be kept separate by operating within a “bubble” during this period with all teams operating in clean environments controlled by NSW police.
The wellness of the squads will be continually monitored in line with NSW Heath requirements.
Sanzaar CEO Andy Marinos said: “It has taken a lot of hard work to get to this point, but we are delighted that we can now confirm the match dates and venues for the Rugby Championship 2020.
“The Rugby Championship is one of the game’s showpiece events and includes some of the best rugby talent in the world.
“The six double-header Saturdays are a first for the tournament and will produce an exciting feast of rugby for spectators at the venues who will actually be getting two world-class international tests for the price of one entry ticket.
“Thanks to our committed family of broadcasters this action will also be delivered to the living rooms of our overseas rugby fans providing a rugby feast similar to what we experienced a year ago with the Rugby World Cup,” Marinos said.
Kickoff times for the double-header matches will be announced in due course.
The Castle Lager Rugby Championship 2020 fixtures
Round One — Saturday November 7
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Argentina v SA
Australia v New Zealand
Round Two — Saturday November 14
Bankwest Stadium, Sydney
New Zealand v Argentina
SA v Australia
Round Three — Saturday November 21
ANZ Stadium, Sydney
New Zealand v SA
Australia v Argentina
Round Four — Saturday November 28
McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Argentina v Australia
SA v New Zealand
Round Five — Saturday December 5
Bankwest Stadium, Sydney
Argentina v New Zealand
Australia v SA
Round Six — Saturday December 12
ANZ Stadium, Sydney
SA v Argentina
Australia v New Zealand
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