World Cup champion South Africa will remain part of the four-nation SANZAAR rugby alliance for the immediate future, defying speculation it would throw in its lot with the northern hemisphere.
While its Super Rugby clubs will likely join Europe's Top 14 competition, at least temporarily, South Africa's national team isset to rejoin Argentina, Australia and New Zealand in future Rugby Championships.
The Springboks withdrew from this year's tournament in Australia because of player welfare concerns after the Covid-19 pandemic prematurely ended the Super Rugby tournament and then delayed its domestic competitions.
In a statement Wednesday, SANZAAR said South Africa would rejoin the southern hemisphere alliance from next season. SANZAAR indicated there would be significant changes to its competitions, including Super Rugby, as it adjusts to the new world order created by the coronavirus pandemic.
"The southern hemisphere rugby powers have recognised the need for change in these difficult times and have committed to an international rugby future through to 2030," SANZAAR chief executive Andy Marinos said. "The re-commitment by the four unions to the long-term future of the international game is an important start as we embark in a new direction.
"This is the first of a number of announcements that will be made over the coming weeks and months as we continue to plan into 2021 and beyond."
Marinos said the sport's administrators needed to be flexible in uncertain times.
"The disruption during 2020 has been significant," he said. "However, despite the numerous setbacks and the inherent complexity of our vast geographical expanse, we have managed to keep the game alive and look forward to the remainder of the revised Tri-Nations to bring the curtain down on the 2020 season."
The recommitment by South African rugby would not have been the easiest of moves as it forced them to readjust their domestic game. But it was a declaration they were happy to make, with it being revealed that the Rugby Championship will be restructured to include a 12-match format with teams playing each other on a home or away basis through the new mini-tour match schedule that was adopted in 2019.
"We still have a long history with the All Blacks and Wallabies as well as a long-standing friendship with the Pumas, and we look forward to more world class test rugby," South Africa Rugby CEO Jurie Roux said in a statement.
"Ever since the Tri-Nations was first contested in 1996, and more recently the Rugby Championship from 2012, a team from the southern hemisphere has won the Rugby World Cup five out of six times – which is testimony to the high quality of test rugby played on this side of the equator.
"We welcome the changes announced to the Rugby Championship with our SANZAAR partners and we are looking forward to see what the new strategic plan for the competition entails."
The Rugby Championship, now reorganised as a Tri-Nations tournament involving Australia, New Zealand and Argentina, is underway. The All Blacks thrashed Australia in the opening match last weekend and, in doing so, retained the Bledisloe Cup.
