Italy could VETO proposals for them to be replaced in Six Nations by South Africa

Plans for South Africa to join the Six Nations from 2025 would require unanimous approval from the Championship’s competing unions and private equity investors CVC Capital Partners.

Sportsmail revealed on Thursday that the Springboks want to join northern hemisphere rugby’s showpiece event. 

CVC, who last year bought a 14.3 per cent share in the Six Nations for £365million, are also keen on the proposed deal. 

South Africa’s desire to align themselves with the north raised the prospect they could replace Italy, who have not won in the Six Nations since 2015, losing 34 straight games. 

South Africa are interested in joining the northern hemisphere’s rugby showpiece event

They could potentially replace Italy who have lost 34 straight games in the Six Nations

Sportsmail understands any agreement on South Africa coming on board would have to be signed off by England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, France and Italy as well as CVC. It means Italy could yet veto their place being put under threat. 

That would leave South Africa and CVC needing to convince Italy to drop out. A vote to replace one of the Six Nations teams has never been held before. 

Ahead of the 2000 Championship, agreement was reached to add Italy to what was previously the Five Nations.

Plans would require unanimous approval from competing nations and major investors CVC and Italy could themselves look to veto any move to replace them as part of the Six Nations

In 2001, a proposal to take the Six Nations from a nine-week to a six-week competition was passed unanimously. Any change to the tournament’s format must be agreed on by all parties.

Sources indicated on Thursday that discussions over a new global calendar and the implementation of a World Nations Championship remain the priority before attention is turned to the future of the Six Nations.

‘Six Nations Rugby and its unions are currently actively involved in the discussions around the global rugby calendar, specifically the July and November international windows,’ read a statement. ‘It remains our strategic priority to resolve.’