Boks may make it a rugby Super eight

Springbok deal would cast a doubt on their involvement in the southern hemisphere Rugby Championship.

DRINK TO THAT: Springbok Word Cup-winning head coach Rassie Erasmus celebrates after their RWC success last year. South Africa may the final piece in the jigsaw fort an eight-team tournament in the northern hemishphere in November and December.

World champions South Africa are being lined up to replace Japan in the end-of-year Eight Nations tournament.

Bernard Laporte, the World Rugby vice-chairman, has confirmed that the Brave Blossoms will not be taking part in the event that is to replace the customary autumn tours that have been abandoned because of the coronavirus pandemic.