REPORT: Talk of SA's North-South match intensifies
SPOTLIGHT: Seems like South Africa’s live rugby drought will conclude with some scintillating matches.
Aside from the Superhero Sunday matches pencilled to take place on the September 26 at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria, various media outlets reported that a North versus South exhibition match is also on the list.
It was previously reported by Rugby365com, the ‘State of Origin competition’ (including North versus South and Coastal versus Inland matches) was tabled and bookmarked for December 19, December 26 and January 2.
However, the public could enjoy the internal fixture much sooner.
According to SA Rugby magazine, a North v South fixture is scheduled to occur on October 3 in Cape Town – just a week before the domestic competition (Currie Cup) kicks off on October 10.
A North versus South derby will certainly be a welcome feature for the South Africans and could simultaneously serve as a Springboks trial.
A similar match was recently played in New Zealand, where the South Island recorded a nail-biting 38-35 win.
The match was a major success as fans and players like Ardie Savea and Lima Sopoaga called for a three-match series.
While it was an entertaining fixture, the build-up to the 81st edition of the historic derby attracted criticism from fans and pundits for its eligibility criteria with numerous players representing the opposite island from which they originated.
If the match were to occur, SA Rugby will more likely sit with a similar debate.
With less than a month till kick-off, organizers will have to decide whether the team selections will be based on where the players were born, schooled, made their provincial debut or played most of their rugby.
Thus far, the South African franchise have been dealing very well with the COVID-19 regulations with little positive cases in the respective teams.
Source: SA rugby magazine & IOLSA
