South Africa withdraws from Rugby Championship

South Africa's RG Snyman celebrates with Rassie Erasmus after the 2019 Rugby World Cup final. Picture: INPHO/James Crombie

South Africa has pulled out of the Australia-hosted Rugby Championship citing its government's travel restrictions, player welfare and safety concerns.

The joint organisation South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and Argentina Rugby (SANZAAR) said in a statement the reigning World Cup winners will no longer compete against the other three countries, who will instead compete in the Tri-Nations tournament.

The decision means South Africa are due to play no international matches between their World Cup victory over England in Japan on Novermber 2, 2019 and July 24, 2021 when they host the British and Irish Lions in Johannesburg.

South African Rugby chief executive Jurie Roux said in the SANZAAR statement: "This is a hugely disappointing outcome for supporters and commercial partners but the on-going impacts of the pandemic in multiple dispensations mean we are unable to deliver a Springbok team without seriously compromising player welfare, apart from other logistical challenges."

The five-week Tri-Nations will begin on October 31 with Australia hosting New Zealand in Sydney.

Wallabies coach Dave Rennie said South Africa’s absence was disappointing for the competition.

“If they’re not coming, obviously there are less games and less opportunity for some of our young guys to get a taste of Springbok footy,” he said. “It’s been a challenging year. Again we’re going to have make changes and adjust.”