Springboks legend Victor Matfield has \u201cheard\u201d that the Springboks will be sending a weakened squad to the northern hemisphere later this year.<\/p>\n
In a move which would resemble France\u2019s controversial decision to rest their star players for the July Tests, the former record cap holder has suggested that Rassie Erasmus may have greater priorities in 2026 than the Nations Championship.<\/p>\n
It is set to be a huge 12 months for the Boks<\/a> with The Greatest Rivalry series, which includes four Tests against the All Blacks<\/a>, the most anticipated games of the year.<\/p>\n Springboks\u2019 busy schedule<\/p>\n They are therefore set for a busy schedule and it appears as though the upcoming Nations Championship, which takes place in July and November, is low down on Erasmus\u2019<\/a> list.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t how important it\u2019s going to be for the coaches. I\u2019ve heard there might be a South African B side going over at the end of the year. I don\u2019t know if it\u2019s true, I\u2019ve just heard rumours,\u201d Matfield said on the Rivals podcast.<\/p>\n \u201cSomeone just told me. It\u2019s something to do with the league points and where you finish. I just heard it but let\u2019s see what happens.\u201d<\/p>\n Matfield did not want to commit further but that prompted ex-Ireland star Andrew Trimble, who joined him on the show, to quip: \u201cRassie\u2019s done the sums, he\u2019s got something up his sleeve again, he\u2019s always scheming isn\u2019t he?\u201d<\/p>\n While nothing has obviously been confirmed, there is possibly foundation to the rumours given Erasmus\u2019 comments after the 2025 November series.<\/p>\n The Springboks boss always works in four-year cycles and his priority is very much the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.<\/p>\n That could mean sacrificing the Nations Championship by trying out some younger or fringe players in November and playing his strongest squads in the home July Tests and The Greatest Rivalry series.<\/p>\n