South Africa offers to host remainder of Rugby Championship

South Africa has sent a proposal to host the remainder of the Rugby Championship games after New Zealand's decision to withdraw from the Perth game against Australia and the home matches against the Springboks.

The New Zealand Rugby's decision was due to the Covid-19 restrictions in place due to the surge in the Delta variant which means the All Blacks will not be travelling to Perth for their game on 28th August while it has been advised that the Springboks would not be permitted to enter New Zealand for Tests in Dunedin and Auckland on 25th September and 2nd October.

With SANZAAR now considering to shift the remainder of competition to the United Kingdom, South Africa Rugby now have offered to host the remainder of the games in the competition after successfully hosting the series against the British and Irish Lions recently.

"We have advised SANZAAR that we are ready and able to host the remainder of the competition in South Africa, pending our government's approval," SA Rugby chief executive officer Jurie Roux said in a statement on Friday.

"We are now well-versed in turning on rugby Tests within the prevailing COVID restrictions and have the venues and accommodation necessary. We just need the go-ahead."

A statement released by the South African board revealed that the second round game against Argentina will go ahead as per the schedule on Saturday while a decision is awaited on the remaining games.

"The Springboks and Pumas were scheduled to fly to Australia on Sunday night but that flight has been put on hold until a new schedule for the tournament is confirmed.

"SANZAAR is considering a range of options – including the hosting of the event in South Africa – and would make an announcement once all logistical, commercial, and broadcasting considerations had been taken into account.

"Tomorrow’s Castle Lager Rugby Championship match between the Boks and Pumas at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium is unaffected and will go ahead as scheduled".