Springbok winger Cheslin Kolbe says it would be ‘amazing’ if South Africa joined the Six Nations.
Since South Africa departed Super Rugby, the Six Nations expansion to include the Springboks has long been debated.
The four South African franchises, the Bulls, Lions, Sharks and Stormers, featured in the maiden United Rugby Championship (URC) tournament last season.
It be would be amazing
Speaking to the Telegraph Rugby Podcast, Kolbe endorsed the prospect of South Africa joining the Six Nations.
“I think if it does happen, it would be massive and change the whole scenario regarding the Six Nations,” he said.
“For the Springboks, it would be amazing to be part of the Six Nations. You get to play against top countries each and week when you’re part of that competition. It would be amazing if it comes off one day, but who knows.”
Kolbe follows fellow Rugby World Cup winner Eben Etzebeth in voicing his support for South Africa joining the Six Nations.
“I think it would be great being a part of that (the Six Nations),” Etzebeth told the Times back in December last year.
“It would mean the schedules will be a bit more aligned. I never want to move away from playing the All Blacks, Wallabies and Argentina, so as long as there’s still space to also play those matches.
“So if we can keep those rivalries aligned it would be great for us, for rugby, and it would align the schedule for the best interests of the players. I don’t know where the game will go in the future, or where we will play in the future, but being part of the European schedule and the Champions Cup just makes sense.”
Rassie Erasmus
Kolbe made his Test debut for South Africa back in 2018 under then-head coach Rassie Erasmus.
The Springbok flyer described Erasmus as an ‘incredible human’ when defending his the Springboks’ director of rugby character when asked about Erasmus’ suspension for posting videos on Twitter about Wayne Barnes’ decisions.
“It just shows you how much he cares about the Springboks and about South Africa,” Kolbe said of Erasmus.
“He just wants the boys and the team to be treated fairly, and he would go out of his way to make sure that is the case. He’s very passionate about his rugby, and I am sure each and every person will know that by now. That’s just who Coach Rassie is.
“He’s just an incredible human on and off the field. I’ve gotten to know Coach Rassie since I started playing [for the Springboks] in 2018, but just his sense of the game, his thinking, is out of this world. I haven’t been part of a team where the coaching has so much detail, and that much thought goes into preparation and the way you see and analyse other teams. I take my hat off to coach Rassie for coming in at such a difficult time and turning a lot around in quite a short period of time leading into the World Cup in 2019.
“He’s a fantastic coach to play under and just a phenomenal human off the field, too. He cares a lot about the players, their health, their families and just wanting the best for them. Everyone knows that the ban he got was for the players, for the Springboks at the time. He’s a good guy to have on your side.”
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