Erasmus champions global rugby calendar for improved synergy

SPRINGBOK coach Rassie Erasmus has thrown his support behind the longstanding calls for a global rugby calendar, saying it would be “fantastic” if the international windows could align with the different competitions.

- LEIGHTON KOOPMAN

Erasmus believes that moving the Rugby Championship to the same period as the Six Nations would create the kind of synergy world rugby has been striving for and would ultimately benefit both hemispheres.

With the recent announcement of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry, a tour featuring the world champions and New Zealand, the question of a global calendar to align international matches has resurfaced.

The two sides will face each other in 2026 in four Test matches, three on South African soil, while the All Blacks will also play midweek matches against the SA franchises.

The Boks will reciprocate the tour in 2030, with the Rugby Championship returning in 2027, 2028 and 2029. Erasmus welcomed the reinstating of international bilateral tours and, at the same time, shared his thoughts on having a global calendar.

“1 don't want this to be a headline; this is just my opinion, and I don’t want to go against the wishes of SA Rugby or what they are thinking,” the Springbok mentor said.