Photo by MarkTantrum/Getty Images for World Rugby
According to World Rugby vice president Bernard Laporte, the Springboks could replace Japan in the upcoming eight nations competition.
La Porte said during the annual meeting of the Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes club that negotiations with the South African Rugby Union are in progress.
“The Japanese will not come to Europe….we are looking for a nation to replace them. We are in advanced talks with South Africa. It would be great to be able to face the Springboks, world champions in the title, but it’s not yet done,” Laporte said.
Japan withdrew from the competition last week due to the fact that some of their coaches and support staff are still not allowed to enter Japan due to COVID19 regulations, which will affect their preparations for the tour to Europe.