Rassie Erasmus goes public on South Africa's desire to join the Six Nations

South Africa’s director of rugby Rassie Erasmus says it would be “awesome” to have the Springboks in the Six Nations.

When it was reported last month that the world champions were being lined up to replace Italy in the Championship from 2025 it provoked a huge reaction.

Italian rugby chiefs voiced their fury, while there was widespread public opposition to the idea.

In the end, the Six Nations were moved to come out with a statement saying they had no plans to add or replace any participating union.

Now Erasmus, one of rugby’s highest profile and most colourful characters, has given his personal opinion on the subject.

“I’ve always been a massive fan of the Six Nations,” he told Mail Online.

“Murrayfield is awesome, the Aviva is awesome, Twickenham is awesome. I love the atmospheres and their rich tradition of singing.

“Speaking from the South African side of the fence, I would love to see the Springboks in the Six Nations. The style of play, the travel and the time zones would all suit South Africa.

“You could fly in overnight on Thursday, play on a Saturday and fly back on Sunday. It would be easy. When we go to Australia or New Zealand, you wake up at 2am and don’t know what day it is!

“We are locked in with the Rugby Championship until 2025, so for now it is still hypothetical.

“Just please don’t mistake this for me saying the Rugby Championship is bad. I love New Zealand, I love Australia and I love Argentina.

“If someone with proper research showed me that South Africa joining the Six Nations would make the Rugby Championship weaker and damage the growth of the global game, then we shouldn’t do it. But right now, speaking as a South African, I think joining the Six Nations would be awesome.”

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