The Springboks have been a part of the Rugby Championship since it first began in 1995, but with their Super Rugby teams taking part in the Ultimate Rugby Championship this year rather than the Super Rugby. It’s looking more and more likely that the South Africans could join the Six Nations.

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Sanzaar chief executive Morris was talking to the New Zealand publication Stuff and said that the South Africa Rugby Union had informed their partners that they were looking elsewhere.

They [South Africa] did put us on notice they were exploring their options, that was well before Christmas,” Morris said.

“We debated whether we do an announcement around the extension of the joint venture [until 2025]. But it’s purely a document that allows us to operate the business structure that we have.

“We’ve got a number of international and local broadcast deals that are extended to 2025. There was never any cause for alarm that we were never go to meet those obligations.

“But, at the end of the day, it’s about getting the partners together to create a fit-for-purpose strategy.”