World Cup-holders South Africa pull out of Rugby Championship

World Cup-holders South Africa pulled out of the Rugby Championship Friday owing to complications caused by the coronavirus, throwing the southern hemisphere tournament into disarray.

The Springboks, who haven't played since winning the World Cup for the third time in Japan last year, cited government travel restrictions, player welfare and safety concerns for their withdrawal.

It means the competition in Australia from October 31 will be reduced from 12 games to six, involving only Australia, New Zealand and Argentina.

"This is a hugely disappointing outcome for supporters and commercial partners," said South African Rugby chief Jurie Roux.

"But the ongoing 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."

While New Zealand resumed rugby last June and Australia soon after, Covid-19 forced a longer shutdown in South Africa with the Springboks' players facing the prospect of travelling to Australia with only 80 minutes of game-time under their belt.

Coach Jacques Nienaber wanted close to 500 minutes.

There had been suggestions that they could be replaced by a Barbarians side or Australia A to ensure the four-team draw stayed intact, but organisers opted against this, with the tournament reverting to its former Tri-Nations format.

The Wallabies will face the All Blacks in Sydney on October 31 to kick off the event and then again on November 7 in Brisbane before both teams take turns playing Argentina in subsequent weeks.

The tournament was originally scheduled to begin in August until the pandemic forced a postponement.

It was then supposed to feature six straight double-headers through November and early December.

But that plan fell through when New Zealand demanded their final game on December 12 be changed so they could complete their Covid-enforced quarantine before Christmas Day.

Andy Marinos, chief executive of SANZAAR, the tournament's governing body, joked that "Covid is just a gift that keeps on giving".

"SANZAAR recognises the challenges and adversity that the national unions have had to face this year due to the pandemic," he added.

"It is a tribute to the unions in how they have been able to adapt and, dependent on Covid restrictions, run domestic competitions with the exception of Argentina who has been impacted the hardest through their lockdown."

Argentina are already in Australia and in quarantine.

The Springboks, who beat England in the World Cup final last November, now face the prospect of no Test match rugby until they host the British and Irish Lions in Soweto next July.

There will also be a considerable financial blow with SA Rugby standing to lose a reported 300 million rand ($18 million/15.5 million euros) by not taking part.

The governing body had to slash 1.2 million rand of the 2020 budget after the coronavirus pandemic halted rugby in South Africa last March.

SA Rugby suffered losses in 2016 and 2017 before making small profits in the following two years.

Rugby Championship draw:

October 31 - Australia v New Zealand at Sydney's ANZ Stadium

November 7 - Australia v New Zealand at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium

November 14 - New Zealand v Argentina at Sydney's Bankwest Stadium

November 21 - Australia v Argentina at Newcastle's McDonald Jones Stadium

November 28 - Argentina v New Zealand at Newcastle's McDonald Jones Stadium

December 5 - Argentina v Australia at Sydney's Bankwest Stadium