South Africa, New Zealand discuss eight-match rugby tours / Photo: PHILL MAGAKOE - AFP/File
-
Malta Chamber of Commerce and FIMBank Sign Alliance Agreement to Boost Corporate Finance
-
Turkish Energy Minister Highlights Qatar as Key Partner for Regional and Global Energy Security
-
Rene Eyre Revisits Autobiographical Performance 'Say A Little Prayer' in London
-
London Museum Granted 24/7 License Ahead of November Opening
-
UAE's HCT Holds Record Graduation and Announces Major Training Expansion
-
Dana White Confirms Flight to Washington for Trump Meeting on Press Secretary Role
-
NASA Awards $10B Lunar Contract Framework to SpaceX, Blue Origin
-
Dengue Fever Expands Into High Himalayas as Climate Change Warms Nepal
-
Katy Perry Tells Fans Ex-Husband Russell Brand 'Should Be in Jail' During UK Concert
-
IoT Refrigerator Hacks Disrupt Blood Labs and Supermarkets Across Europe and US
-
South African election results renew debate over identity-based voting
-
Post-election pressures complicate US and Israeli decisions on Iran
-
South African voters report smoother local election but declining IEC trust
-
UN members approve talks on treaty protocol against environmental crime
-
Dolly Parton museum and Nashville hotel open after singer’s death
-
Family-run West Sussex beach café prepares for first winter season
-
George and Amal Clooney attend New York political-comedy reading
-
CT scans reveal health and burial clues from Egypt’s Braided Lady mummy
-
British buyers pay substantial premiums for period-home appearance
-
Oxford faces complaints over lecturer’s classroom attire
-
Thomas Markle released to house arrest after child-abuse-image charge
-
Kyren Wilson and John Higgins reach International Championship snooker final
-
Dawn of War 4 developers chose Adeptus Mechanicus for tactical variety
-
New Zealand and Tonga meet for place in Rugby League World Cup final
-
Italy face unbeaten South Africa in Turin Nations Championship match
-
Reports of unsafe AI-toy responses renew calls for child-safety rules
South Africa, New Zealand discuss eight-match rugby tours
South Africa and New Zealand are discussing hosting eight-match tours involving the two rugby union giants every four years, a senior Springboks official told AFP on Wednesday.
A proposal is that South Africa would play hosts in 2026 and New Zealand in 2030, and the itinerary would include four Tests and four matches against franchises.
The official, talking on condition of anonymity as he is not an authorised spokesperson, said one of the Tests could be staged at a neutral venue, possibly England or the United States.
"Reports that a deal has been struck are untrue. Talks are ongoing and I believe there will be a successful outcome. We should have clarity by the end of this month," he said.
"A sticking point is the Rugby Championship in tour years. There is speculation that these tours may last eight weeks, so what happens to fixtures against Argentina and Australia?"
In non-Rugby World Cup years, Argentina, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa play each other twice. They meet once in the years of the quadrennial global tournament.
From first round to last the Rugby Championship spans eight weeks in August and September -- the same period South Africa and New Zealand want to use for the tours.
Should the tours go ahead, South Africa favour a single-round Championship, while New Zealand reportedly would prefer the 2026 and 2030 editions to be cancelled.
Many Springboks are based abroad and are expected to return to their clubs after the eight-week window, raising the possibility that they would have to field only locals in additional Tests.
Tests between South Africa and New Zealand are hugely popular, with an SA Rugby official saying they could sell 240,000 tickets for the match at the 60,000-seat Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.
Tickets for the Test in Johannesburg last Saturday, which South Africa won 31-27 through two late tries, were sold out in less than 30 minutes.
Prime seats at Ellis Park cost 2,150 rand ($120/110 euros) -- more than 40 times more than the cost of a ticket to watch the national football team -- but were snapped up.
Reigning champions South Africa have won four and New Zealand three of the 10 World Cup tournaments. Australia were victorious twice and England once.
New Zealand have dominated the Rugby Championship since its 2012 launch, winning nine editions. Australia and South Africa have topped the table only once each.
J.Gomez--AT
