Kolisi: Boks will play anywhere

REACTION: Springbok captain Siya Kolisi and assistant coach Mzwandile Stick said they are happy to play the remainder of the Rugby Championship anywhere.

However, they would “love” it to be in South Africa.

South Africa will face Argentina for a second time after the Boks won their Round One clash 32-12 last week.

The two teams, who meet at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium again, were due to share a charter flight to Australia on Sunday for the next leg of the competition.

However, organisers are now scrambling for an alternative venue to complete the championship after New Zealand said on Friday they would not host the Springboks next month, or travel to play in Australia next week.

New Zealand Rugby (NZR) said authorities had advised that the Boks would not be permitted to enter New Zealand for Tests in Dunedin on September 25 and Auckland on October 2 after their government imposed stricter COVID-19 travel regulations.

#PREVIEW: South Africa are poised to replace New Zealand as #RugbyChampionship leaders. Check out our prediction 👇 #ARGvRSA https://t.co/V24C5rPwy9

— rugby365.com (@rugby365com) August 20, 2021

Reports suggest the remainder of the competition could be played in the United Kingdom, while South African Rugby has also offered to host all four sides, having already hosted the tour of the British & Irish Lions tour that finished earlier this month.

“We would love to play in South Africa, but we are game for anything,” said Stick.

“Our main focus is to keep ticking the boxes.

“We’ll wait to see what the calls from the top are and we will support any decision.”

Kolisi echoed his coach’s sentiments.

“We would love to stay here, but we will play anywhere,” said Kolisi.

“There are two teams [South Africa and Argentina] here already.”

Very good stadiums

Stick said South Africa has more than enough top-class facilities to host the Rugby Championship

“If you look at the facilities that we got in our country, they are very good stadiums to host any kind of an event,” Stick explained.

“We hosted big events before and there was the success of the British and Irish Lions tour when all the [Test] games were played in Cape Town.

“It’s a pity that our supporters can’t really enjoy the games in the stadiums, but we are living in challenging times.

“I think we got what it takes if it comes to South Africa.”

Additional source: AAP

#UPDATE: SA Rugby has issued a statement. #RugbyChampionship https://t.co/rK6Gr2A69N

— rugby365.com (@rugby365com) August 20, 2021