Supporters of international rugby on the Southern Hemisphere have begun to express their confusion and disarray towards the concept of South Africa joining the Six Nations Tournament. This would force the international rugby outfit to leave the SANZAAR Tourney by 2024, with multiple supporters in South Africa noting that it’d be detrimental for local rugby. Chances that this decision will be altered are minimal, with the Springboks having determined they’ll become the seventh outfit and turn this championship into the “Seven Nations Tournament”. It would see South Africa compete against Italy, France, Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Great Britain. Individuals close to this agreement have expressed that things are falling smoothly into place and that 2024 is in sight.
The SANZAAR Alliance would lose one of their most notable outfits with the confirmation that this agreement is moving forward. It’d mean that Argentina, Australia and New Zealand would be the remaining nations engaging with this international rugby competition. It’d also mean an odd number, which would force SANZAAR to locate another country willing to participate in the Southern Hemisphere. It should be noted that the SANZAAR Alliance was first founded by South Africa, with Australia and New Zealand’s rugby unions following. This decision is considered disrespectful to the individuals that founded SANZAAR in 1995.
The Main Concern is Profits
It’s been rumoured through newspaper outlets for a prolonged period that an alliance between South Africa’s and Europe’s rugby unions would be inevitable. This decision is being made entirely based on money, with the Springboks having greater access to global television audiences with more favourable time zones. Organizations like the All Blacks earn millions yearly in revenue from retail products, with Springbok owners wanting to acquire similar valuations from team gear. Analysts are concerned that this decision could be unsafe for players with the Springboks, as racism towards African Americans in European sporting leagues has grown exponentially over the last two years. Seeming them enter the Six Nations Tournament could see substantial backlash towards the players. Greed isn’t worth violence.
Denying that this agreement isn’t almost finalized is foolish. The Springboks are entering final conversations for broadcasting agreements, which would remain active until 2030. This would immediately guarantee South Africa’s presence into the Six Nations Tournament for three years. Their presence alone means an alteration to this teams’ name; it’ll be hard to avoid any backlash.
