Legendary All Blacks skipper believes Rugby Championship 'can't afford' to lose Springboks

Stay put.

That's the message legendary All Blacks skipper Sean Fitzpatrick conveyed about persistent rumours that the Springboks are planning to ditch the Rugby Championship for the Six Nations after 2025, who believes it would be a "sad day" if it comes to fruition.

SA Rugby, despite being dealt the blow of New Zealand not wanting its franchises in Super Rugby back in 2020, still remains committed to the Sanzaar alliance for at least three years.

And Fitzpatrick, who played in the first two editions of the then Tri-Nations, hopes it stays that way.

"In terms of the southern hemisphere, it will be devastating to the Championship if we lost South Africa out of that competition. So, no, I would not like seeing that happen," the 58-year-old former hooker told media as part of the build-up to the Laureus Sports Awards.

"I think there's a bigger question in terms of what competitions do we want? The Six Nations is arguably the best competition in world rugby at the moment, outside of the World Cup.

"I think we've seen that in the first three rounds that it’s compelling viewing. Why look at something and adding something to it when it's not broken, without question?"

                                                              Sean Fitzpatrick (Getty)

Moreover, there's also the consideration of potentially simply rubbishing tradition.

"I don’t personally like having a southern-hemisphere team in the Six Nations, because the history of the competition is northern hemisphere, basically," said Fitzpatrick.

"That’s not a great reason not to change it, I just like the Six Nations as it is.

"If the Springboks were to join, it would be a Seven Nations because Italy can't just be ejected, they have a right of veto. So starting a new