While Austin Healey is excited by the prospect of South Africa joining the Six Nations, the former England utility back doesn’t believe it is a realistic option.
Writing for the Telegraph, Healey reacted to reports suggesting that South Africa is set to replace Italy in a new-look European championship in 2025.
Boks’ switch to Six Nations still on
“Bottom line, I would love to see South Africa in the Six Nations. But the reality is the geography, the history and everything else going on would work against it, with the development of the European game being the first and most important thing. I therefore can’t see it working.”
Healey’s view complemented that of his former coach, Clive Woodward, who declared the notion to be “ill-conceived”. Six Nations organisers have since confirmed they are not currently planning any change to the format of the competition though they did not go so far as to specifically rule it out of plans for 2025.
Six Nations: Not planning to axe Italy
Meanwhile, the majority of fans polled on their preference voted for the Boks to remain in the Rugby Championship.
“South Africa would add to the quality of the Six Nations, but it would take away the European factor from which has made it so special,” added Healey.
“Personally, I would happily watch England play South Africa in Cape Town, but I wouldn’t go for a weekend and it would more likely be played at Ellis Park in Johannesburg anyway. The last thing you want is England travelling to Ellis Park with only 2,000 supporters. What’s the point? Teams will be going from playing against Scotland in the snow to 35 degree heat in Cape Town.”
“Facing South Africa on multiple occasions every year would also detract from and potentially devalue the Rugby World Cup and arguably British & Irish Lions tours, too. We already see the Springboks up here every autumn. Play one side enough times and the Tests begin to lose their edge.
“Are people realistically going to fly all the way down to South Africa to go and watch one game?