Six Nations make 'final decision' on Springboks joining tournament as seventh team
Rugby NewsFriday, 04 September 2026 at 14:55
Rassie Erasmus has previously made his feelings clear on the Springboks potentially joining the Six Nations – and the landscape of international rugby has changed considerably since.
For years, South Africa have been linked with a sensational switch from the Rugby Championship to Europe's premier international competition.
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The Springboks' domestic franchises moving north to compete in the United Rugby Championship only intensified that speculation, with the Bulls, Sharks, Stormers and Lions now firmly embedded in the European rugby calendar.
However, Erasmus has previously questioned whether South Africa joining the Six Nations would actually be the right move.
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Rassie on joining the Six Nations
Erasmus, who experienced northern hemisphere rugby first-hand during his successful spell with Munster, acknowledged the enormous appeal of the Championship.
“Us joining the Six Nations? I’m not sure how that sits with other people,” Erasmus said.
“We admire the competition – when I was at Munster, I saw how big it really is.”
For the double Rugby World Cup-winning coach, one of the major considerations was the history and identity surrounding the tournament.
“There are a lot of traditions that are more valuable than us just fitting in,” he added.
“This is a competition with deep heritage. I’m not sure if we can just walk in and be accepted.”
HAVE YOUR SAY
With the Springboks now facing all six European heavyweights through the new Nations Championship, the debate over whether they should ever join the Six Nations is unlikely to disappear. The new competition already brings the northern and southern powers together without changing the Six Nations itself.
Everything has changed in 2026
While the Springboks haven't joined the Six Nations, international rugby's new structure means South Africa are now competing directly against all six European nations as part of the inaugural Nations Championship.
The new 12-team tournament brings together England, France, Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Italy in a northern hemisphere group, with South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, Argentina, Fiji and Japan representing the south.
The competition began in July 2026 and continues during the November international window before culminating in a three-day Finals Weekend at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham from November 27-29.
South Africa faced England, Scotland and Wales during the July leg and will take on Italy, France and Ireland in November.
That means the Springboks will play every Six Nations country during 2026 without actually joining the Championship.
More than 100,000 tickets have already been sold for the inaugural Finals Weekend in London.
2027 SIX NATIONS FIXTURES:
Here's your complete round-by-round guide to the 2027 Six Nations.
? ROUND 1
Friday 5 February 2027
☘️ Ireland v ? England
? Aviva Stadium, Dublin
? Kick-off: 8:10pm
? Aviva Stadium, Dublin
? Kick-off: 8:10pm
Saturday 6 February 2027
? Scotland v ?? Italy
? Scottish Gas Murrayfield, Edinburgh
? Kick-off: 2:10pm
? Scottish Gas Murrayfield, Edinburgh
? Kick-off: 2:10pm
?? France v ? Wales
? Stade de France, Paris
? Kick-off: 4:40pm
? Stade de France, Paris
? Kick-off: 4:40pm
? ROUND 2
Saturday 13 February 2027
?? Italy v ☘️ Ireland
? Stadio Olimpico, Rome
? Kick-off: 2:10pm
? Stadio Olimpico, Rome
? Kick-off: 2:10pm
? Scotland v ? Wales
? Scottish Gas Murrayfield, Edinburgh
? Kick-off: 4:40pm
? Scottish Gas Murrayfield, Edinburgh
? Kick-off: 4:40pm
Sunday 14 February 2027
? England v ?? France
? Allianz Stadium, Twickenham
? Kick-off: 3:10pm
? Allianz Stadium, Twickenham
? Kick-off: 3:10pm
? ROUND 3
Saturday 20 February 2027
? Wales v ☘️ Ireland
? Principality Stadium, Cardiff
? Kick-off: 2:10pm
? Principality Stadium, Cardiff
? Kick-off: 2:10pm
? England v ?? Italy
? Allianz Stadium, Twickenham
? Kick-off: 4:40pm
? Allianz Stadium, Twickenham
? Kick-off: 4:40pm
Sunday 21 February 2027
?? France v ? Scotland
? Stade de France, Paris
? Kick-off: 3:10pm
? Stade de France, Paris
? Kick-off: 3:10pm
? ROUND 4
Friday 5 March 2027
? Scotland v ☘️ Ireland
? Scottish Gas Murrayfield, Edinburgh
? Kick-off: 8:10pm
? Scottish Gas Murrayfield, Edinburgh
? Kick-off: 8:10pm
Saturday 6 March 2027
?? Italy v ?? France
? Stadio Olimpico, Rome
? Kick-off: 2:10pm
? Stadio Olimpico, Rome
? Kick-off: 2:10pm
? Wales v ? England
? Principality Stadium, Cardiff
? Kick-off: 4:40pm
? Principality Stadium, Cardiff
? Kick-off: 4:40pm
? ROUND 5 – Super Saturday
Saturday 13 March 2027
?? Italy v ? Wales
? Stadio Olimpico, Rome
? Kick-off: 2:10pm
? Stadio Olimpico, Rome
? Kick-off: 2:10pm
? England v ? Scotland
? Allianz Stadium, Twickenham
? Kick-off: 4:40pm
? Allianz Stadium, Twickenham
? Kick-off: 4:40pm
☘️ Ireland v ?? France
? Aviva Stadium, Dublin
? Kick-off: 8:10pm
? Aviva Stadium, Dublin
? Kick-off: 8:10pm
England's fixtures
- Round 1: Ireland (A)
- Round 2: France (H)
- Round 3: Italy (H)
- Round 4: Wales (A)
- Round 5: Scotland (H)
There's no easing into the championship for Steve Borthwick's side. A trip to Dublin followed by a home clash with France means England face arguably the two biggest title contenders in their opening two matches before attention turns to the Rugby World Cup later in the year.
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