South Africa withdraw from The Rugby Championship, citing welfare concern

"SANZAAR and Rugby Australia have bent over backwards to make the tournament happen and it would have been unfair on them and their partners and state government to delay a decision any longer," Roux said in a statement.

"This is a hugely disappointing outcome for supporters and commercial partners but the on-going impacts of the pandemic in multiple dispensations mean we are unable to deliver a Springbok team without seriously compromising player welfare, apart from other logistical challenges."

The Springboks' confirmed absence will cost each of the four participating nations millions in broadcast revenue as the 12-game tournament will be cut to just six.

But South Africa are happy to rely on the potential windfall from next year's British and Irish Lions series to prop up their bottom line.

Sources on both sides of the Tasman are now questioning whether South Africa were ever truly committed to this year's TRC.

The South African government granted the Springboks approval to fly to Australia and take part in the six-week tournament almost three weeks ago.

But Springboks high performance staff then insisted their players must have 500 minutes of domestic rugby under their belt before flying to Australia.

That request was granted by the three other participating nations and a proposal was put to the South Africans overnight but they had already made their decision.

The call to not take part in the tournament leaves South Africa's future involvement in southern hemisphere rugby in serious doubt.

What was once one of the strongest relationships in world rugby - between Australia, New Zealand and South Africa - has now disintegrated to the point at which it would not be a surprise if the World Cup champions now play all of their rugby in Europe.

South Africa's Super Rugby teams have already revealed they will form part of Europe's PRO14 competition in the coming years - and fired a shot at New Zealand on their way out.

SANZAAR chief executive Andy Marinos said in a statement: "COVID is just a gift that keeps on giving! Naturally, it is extremely disappointing that the Springboks, due to the continued complexities of operating in and around this COVID environment, cannot fully compete in the previously planned six-round Rugby Championship. That said this now presents us with a unique opportunity, in this our 25th year, to close off 2020 with a SANZAR Tri Nations Competition.

"SANZAR recognises the challenges and adversity that the national unions have had to face this year due to the pandemic. It is a tribute to the Unions in how they have been able to adapt and, dependent on COVID restrictions, run domestic competitions with the exception of Argentina who has been impacted the hardest through their lock down. These short domestic tournaments, and in Argentina’s case no domestic competition, are not the normal lead into an international window, and while it has been a far from ideal preparation we look forward to an exciting and vibrant Tri-Nations tournament.”

On the field, Wallabies coach Dave Rennie expressed his disappointment at South Africa's absence.

"Disappointing isn't it because it would have been a hell of a tournament in Australia with some of the best teams in the world going head to head," Rennie said after revealing his team for Bledisloe II on Friday.

"Obviously it's less games and less opportunity for some of our young guys to get a taste of Springbok footy. Again we're going to have to make changes and adjust.

"We're fortunate enough to be playing some Test footy at the moment and the Argentinians have arrived in Australia.

"We're going to organise a couple of teams for them to play against, so they'll get a couple of hit-outs before the Test matches start proper for them."

Tri-Nations Match Schedule

October 31: Australia v New Zealand (ANZ Stadium, Sydney)

November 7: Australia v New Zealand (Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane)

November 14: New Zealand v Argentina (Bankwest Stadium, Sydney)

November 21: Argentina v Australia (McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle)

November 28: Argentina v New Zealand (McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle)

December 5: Australia v Argentina (Bankwest Stadium, Sydney)