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.