Sydney (AFP)

Reigning world champion, South Africa announced on Friday that it would not take part in the Rugby Championship (October 31-December 12), organized this year exclusively in Australia due to the pandemic, and which will therefore be played in three teams, as at its origin.

The Springboks, who have yet to replay since their victory in Japan in 2019, explained their choice by the restrictions imposed in terms of travel by governments, the health of their players and questions about safety.

Australia will open the tournament against New Zealand on October 31 in Sydney.

The Rugby Championship, which pits South Africa against Australia, New Zealand and Argentina, gave the Springboks 48 extra hours on Wednesday to decide whether or not they wanted to defend their title.

"It's really disappointing for supporters and business partners, but the consequences of the pandemic make it impossible for a team to participate without questioning the health of the players, beyond the logistical difficulties," explained the rugby boss. South African, Jurie Roux, in a statement.

"Our players playing in England, Ireland, France and Japan (24 in all, editor's note) are subject to local regulations and different travel protocols, as well as potentially renewable confinements in certain territories", a- he explained.

- original format -

The South African coach, Jacques Nienaber, had also previously estimated that participating in matches of this level was a risk to the health of his players, in lack of form.

Rugby Championship organizer Sanzaar said he was "extremely disappointed" with the withdrawal of the Springboks, while acknowledging that each of the participating nations "had to face adversity and many challenges" due to the pandemic.

"That said, (this withdrawal) offers us a unique opportunity to end the year 2020, which marks our 25 years of existence, by organizing a real tri-nation competition" also underlined Andy Marinos, president of Sanzaar, in a statement.

The Rugby Championship had at one time considered inviting the British Barbarians in place of South Africa, unless the Australian B team entered the competition in order to maintain the four-team principle, before finally deciding to return to its original three-team format, when it was still called the Tri-Nations, before 2012 and the integration of Argentina.

Originally scheduled for August, the tournament was postponed due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, before being considered in the fall.

The All Blacks had, however, been granted to play their last match before December 12, so that their players, in the event of quarantine in the event of a positive Covid-19 test that day, could still pass the Christmas family celebrations.

Modified Rugby Championship schedule:

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10/31 at ANZ Stadium in Sydney: Australia - New Zealand

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07/11 at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane: Australia - New Zealand

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11/14 at Bankwest Stadium in Sydney: New Zealand - Argentina

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11/21 at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle: Australia v Argentina

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28/11 at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle: Argentina - New Zealand

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05/12 at Bankwest Stadium in Sydney: Argentina - Australia

© 2020 AFP