The Springboks could join the Six Nations after the 2023 World Cup

The Springboks could ditch the Rugby Championship and join the Six Nations after the 2023 World Cup.

According to a report in The Daily Mail, negotiations have been going on behind the scenes for some time, with one source telling the newspaper: ‘Things are falling nicely into place.’

It is understood that the plan in principle would involve expanding the championship to a seven-team event - rather than South Africa's entry coming at the expense of struggling Italy. That would create pressure on an already congested calendar, but the rewards are regarded as too enticing to ignore.

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The newspaper says SA Rugby is working on an equity injection, which would give additional credibility to its bid to join the Six Nations.

Being part of the tournament would allow SA Rugby to align with countries in a similar time zone and increase the value of the Six Nations’ TV rights, both in Europe and South Africa.

If the Springboks did leave the Rugby Championship, which began in 1996 as the Tri-Nations, it could open the door for Japan and/or a Pacific Islands nation to come in.

In recent months, there has been speculation linking Japan and Fiji with entry into the Six Nations, but Sportsmail sources claim this is unlikely.

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