Japan and Fiji could join the Rugby Championship at some point, SA Rugby president Mark Alexander has confirmed.
The tournament’s last expansion was back in 2012 when Argentina were added to the then Tri Nations, linking up with Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
For years, it has been suggested that the next expansion should include Japan and Fiji, particularly after their strong performances in recent Rugby World Cups, but there has been little movement in that regard.
Reports after the 2023 Rugby World Cup stated that both nations had launched bids and entered talks with SANZAAR to join the Rugby Championship by 2026, but those applications were ultimately rejected.
Expansion in the pipeline
However, Alexander says that SANZAAR is still considering including the two nations but was wary of talking out of school. In an interview with The Australian, the bigwig suggested that the Brave Blossoms and Flying Fijians could be phased into the competition through their youth teams.
Once that is trailed, a decision on taking the bigger leap and permanently including the two nations could be made.
“Look, Fiji and Japan might [be added],” he said. “I don’t want to talk out of school. We’ve got a meeting coming up. I think we must start at the lower level.
“The stepping stone for us, for Japan and Fiji, is to include (their) under-20 teams in the (age-group) competition, which is less onerous. It’s one trip to Africa currently because we’ve got a (under-20s) tournament for three years. And we play six teams in the competition, and that will be the start.”
Fiji and Japan will both feature in the inaugural Nations Championship next month and including them in the Rugby Championship would be a natural move considering that all of the northern hemisphere teams included feature in the Six Nations.
With South Africa, New Zealand, Argentina and Australia signing a commitment through to 2030, any Rugby Championship expansion may likely have to wait until then. The governing body confirmed the commitment in October last year, which included their international rugby calendar through to 2030.
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No changes anytime soon
Included in that announcement was the confirmation of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour, which will debut in South Africa this year with the All Blacks touring the republic. A full Rugby Championship will also take place next year before the Rugby World Cup, with the Springboks touring New Zealand in 2030.
“Looking ahead, our joint venture is committed to driving the next chapter of southern hemisphere rugby,” SANZAAR CEO Brendan Morris said at the time.
“By collaborating closely with our Unions and valued broadcasting and commercial partners, we’ve developed an innovative calendar designed to deliver thrilling rugby experiences and set new benchmarks for the game in the years to come.
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“This new calendar for Southern Hemisphere rugby is all about bringing to the fans the highest level of world class rugby and action. Indeed, after listening to what supporters, broadcasters and our stakeholders want, we’ve worked with the Unions to craft a bold and dynamic schedule designed to deliver unforgettable moments every year.
“Whether you’re cheering at the ground or watching at home, get ready for an era of electrifying matches, fierce rivalries, and world-class rugby experiences that put our passionate supporters front and centre. It’s a new dawn for southern hemisphere rugby, and we can’t wait for our fans to be part of this exciting journey.
“The future of southern hemisphere rugby is brighter than ever. Our member unions have a proud record on the international stage and SANZAAR believes this new calendar will assist in strengthening this record, while delivering to the fans unparalleled excitement and access to the world’s best rugby.”