It means the World Cup opener between France and New Zealand is all-important, with the loser likely to come up against the Irish in the last eight. Ireland currently top the world rankings, but with No 2 France and No 3 New Zealand placed in the same pool, a tough quarter-final awaits should the Irish top their own group. If we suppose the top-ranked teams each win their pools and the second-ranked teams finish runners-up then the quarter-finals in 2023 could look something like this… QF 1: Winner Pool C vs Runner up Pool DĪn Ireland vs New Zealand quarter-final? Ireland topped the world rankings after beating New Zealand last year (Photo: AFP).The Springboks now face going into next July's British & Irish Lions series on home soil having played little or no Test rugby since their victory in the 2019 Rugby World Cup final against England last November. South African Rugby CEO, Jurie Roux said Sanzaar and Rugby Australia had bent over backwards to make the Rugby Championship happen and it would have been unfair on them and their partners and state government to delay a decision any longer. South Africa's withdrawal means that the other three teams will have a bye each week of the tournament.Īfter this weekend's second Bledisloe Cup test at Eden Park, the All Blacks will head to Australia to play the Wallabies on October 31st in Sydney and then a week later in Brisbane. The tournament would revert back to its original Tri-Nations format, with the All Blacks, Wallabies and Argentina playing each other twice over a six week period.

The Springboks had to leave for Australia this weekend to fulfill their quarantine requirements in time, and Sanzaar's statement said there were several factors behind the decision.ĭue to South African government travel restrictions, player welfare and safety concerns, and the ongoing effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on South African players both in South Africa and across their various clubs in the UK and Europe, the Springboks will remain in South Africa. Tournament governing body Sanzaar have confirmed the South Africans will not be travelling to Australia for the competition. The Rugby Championship has lost the World Cup winning Springboks.

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