Could South Africa play England every year in the Six Nations from 2025?
(Picture: Getty Images)South Africa have informed Sanzaar, rugby’s southern hemisphere governing body, that they are exploring the possibility of joining the Six Nations from 2025.
The Springboks have been interested in joining the championship for some time, with news of their desire first emerging in 2020.
They are tied to the Rugby Championship, which they compete in alongside Argentina, Australia and New Zealand, until 2025 as part of a broadcast deal for the tournament.
After that, though, South Africa could look to join the Six Nations - possibly at the expense of Italy - and their inclusion would boost the commercial revenue of both the union and the championship.
“They [South Africa] did put us on notice they were exploring their options – that was well before Christmas,” said Sanzaar chief executive Brendan Morris.
“We’ve got a number of international and local broadcast deals that are extended to 2025. There was never any cause for alarm that we were never going to meet those obligations.
“We’re coming out of the worst three years in living memory of financial impact. Everybody has to do their due diligence in exploring what competitions to be involved in, and what provides the best opportunity for the best commercial outcome.”
